Student Veterans Get New, Larger Office and Lounge

veterans lounge

Director of the Office of Military and Veteran Services Jason Babin cuts the ribbon to formally open the new, larger office and lounge

Galloway, N.J. 鈥 老司机福利社鈥檚 veterans have a new home.

The new, larger Office of Military and Veteran Services in lower F-wing was formally dedicated Oct. 1 in a ceremony on Independence Plaza followed by a ribbon-cutting and tours. The office includes a new, larger lounge for student veterans.

veterans  lounge dedication鈥淥ur job is to make sure our veteran students are successful,鈥 said director Jason Babin. 鈥淲e are here for them from when they first walk in, to when they walk at graduation.鈥

President Harvey Kesselman said 老司机福利社鈥檚 commitment to veterans began when 老司机福利社 opened in 1971, welcoming many students and some faculty and staff who had served in Vietnam.

鈥淲e remember the past, but we look to the future,鈥 he said. 鈥淥ur commitment is unwavering.鈥

Retired veteran affairs director Tom O鈥橠onnell said 老司机福利社 has increased services to meet demand.  He recalled former president Herman Saatkamp establishing the first veterans lounge in 2008.

鈥淲e had asked veterans what they needed, and they talked about having a lounge,鈥 O鈥橠onnell said. 鈥淲e were closed for a storm in January for three days, and when we reopened, there was a lounge.鈥

That lounge served veterans well, but has become far too small for the more than 400 student veterans and active military who now attend 老司机福利社.

veterans loungeThe new lounge has huge windows with a view of  Independence Plaza.  The lounge connects to the Office of Military and Veteran Services, so services are convenient.

鈥淭his is a milestone we deeply appreciate,鈥 said Student Veterans Organization president Angel Cordero of Woodbridge.

He who said the interest 老司机福利社 takes in its veterans is just one reason the university is ranked 24th in the nation as Best for Vets by Military Times.

老司机福利社 waives application fees for veterans, and offers a special orientation and dedicated financial aid officer and counselor to assist them.

Cordero said having Babin鈥檚 office right next to the lounge makes it easy for veterans to seek services and create a camaraderie with other student veterans.

鈥淚t feels more comfortable here, and Jason will just come out and talk to you,鈥 said Michael Martelli, of Galloway.

Jackie Auld of Cape May Court House was already using the lounge鈥檚 computers to print out a paper he needed for class.

Auld, 58, retired from the Army and is getting his degree in social work.

鈥淚 use the lounge all the time,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place to come chill before class.  I want to get my degree so I can help other veterans.  You鈥檙e never too old to give back.鈥

More information is at stockton.edu/veteran-affairs.

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Contact:
Diane DAmico
Director of News and Media Relations
老司机福利社
Galloway, N.J. 08205
Diane.DAmico@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
609-412-8069