Chancellor Mone stepped up to the podium as anxious attendees waited to hear his remarks on the grand re-opening of UW-Milwaukee’s Military and Veteran’s Resource Center (MAVRC).
The Chancellor began by sharing his support of the veteran population on campus.
“I want to thank you for everything you do. Thank you for what you’ve done for this country,” Chancellor Mone said.
UWM has two times more student veterans than any other campus in the Midwest. The university also proudly supports active duty students. Therefore, the re-opening of MAVRC has a great impact on UWM’s student population.
Joe Campbell, a Vietnam veteran, shared his experience returning home from war. He said that when he got stateside he didn’t feel welcome. Part of his healing process, he said, is to help others understand what his fellow brothers and sisters were going through as a service member. MAVRC is a space for Campbell to heal and focus on school.
“Vets here are so important to the business world,” Campbell said.
Student Veterans Association President, Carlyle Ross, spoke to the attendees about what MAVRC has done for him. He said MACRC gives him the opportunity to meet veterans with common experiences.
After the ribbon cutting, visitors were allowed into the remodeled MAVRC. Upon entering, student veterans began to discuss why MAVRC is important to them.
“It’s a place to get away from the less mature kids and connect with (other) veterans,” said Tommy Marks.
The new MAVRC has space for the large and growing population of student veterans at UWM.