University Administrators Meet With Secretary of the Veterans Administration

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From left: Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities, Chancellor Gearhart, Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, and Danny Pugh, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students.

The University of Arkansas has made great strides in supporting student veterans over the last five years. Last week Chancellor G. David Gearhart and other university officials met with Eric K. Shinseki, U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs, to discuss those efforts and the continued support of student veterans.

Gearhart, along with Danny Pugh, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students, and Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities, met with Shinseki for about 45 minutes Tuesday morning at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fayetteville.  Education, internships and job placement were all part of the discussion.

"Our commitment to student veterans goes beyond retention and graduation," Pugh said of the university's unique proximity and ties to some of the largest and most productive companies in the world including Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods Inc. and J.B. Hunt Transportation. "We are in a position to recruit student veterans to our university and connect them with internships and professional opportunities that meet their long-term career objectives while intentionally responding to the needs of our corporate neighbors."

More than 700 University of Arkansas students received military educational benefits last year. More than 160 graduating student veterans were recognized with a Challenge Coin during earlier this year at spring commencement. Challenge Coins have a storied history in the military, and Gearhart and Shinseki traded Challenge Coins.

"Our visit with Secretary Shinseki reinforces our ongoing commitment to educate, retain and graduate student veterans," Gearhart said. "His vision is our vision."

"I am grateful for the opportunity to meet Chancellor Gearhart and discuss ways we can best support student veterans, from the moment they step onto campus to the moment they walk across the stage and graduate," said Shinseki.  "The talented young veterans at the University of Arkansas will soon enter the workforce. Not only do veterans make exceptional employees who possess character, team-building skills and discipline, but they also provide tremendous leadership."

In addition to the Challenge Coin exchange Gearhart presented Shinseki with the Arkansas Veteran Knife, created by A.G. Russell. More than half of the proceeds of each knife sale will be put in an emergency fund account to help student veterans in need continue their studies by providing funds for emergencies such as unexpected trips to the doctor for a child, car problems, and more. The knife can be ordered online through the A.G. Russell website.

This emergency fund will be administered by the University of Arkansas Veterans Resource and Information Center. The center was established in 2009 by Chancellor Gearhart and is housed in the Division of Student Affairs to ensure academic and professional success of student veterans. Staff members of the center understand the unique needs of student veterans and serve as a central point to help students navigate the terrain of higher education and military benefits.

Shinseki was sworn in as the seventh secretary of Veterans Affairs on Jan. 21, 2009. Shinseki served as chief of staff, United States Army, from 1999 to 2003, and retired from active duty on Aug. 1, 2003. During his tenure, he initiated the Army Transformation Campaign to address both the emerging strategic challenges of the early 21st century and the need for cultural and technological change in the United States Army.