"I don't know any other USO in the network doing something as ground breaking as this." USO North Carolina President John Falkenbury
Plans are underway to establish a USO-NC satellite center on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte.
A $25,000 cornerstone-grant from the Patriot Charities in Charlotte fueled the start up. "It's the first donation specifically earmarked for the satellite center," says Falkenbury.
He admits they are stepping out of their comfort zone with this project, as the USO's primary mission is to serve the military, military retirees and their families. Falkenbury emphasizes the USO of North Carolina will not waiver from its founding mission, while the center will be open for veteran students enrolled in the college.
Falkenbury outlined the goals for this satellite center:
- Increase military and veteran access to resources, information and assistance beyond current university services by at least 25%.
- Establish a new brand awareness of the USO of North Carolina and its continuing mission.
- Conduct at least one significant event on campus.
- Educate and inform military commands of these services available on campus.
- Establish a corps of committed and trained volunteers to operate the satellite center.
UNC Charlotte satisfies the requirements for a USO on-campus satellite. The university must be near an existing USO of NC center. It must have established ROTC programs and support a density of veteran or military students. The Charlotte USO of NC Center is located at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. UNCC offers Air Force and Army ROTC programs. The veteran population on the campus continues to grow. This past fall, there were 720 students on the GI Bill program, ranking the university number four out of the 16-campus system.
UNCC Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Outreach Andrew Dies says, "We looked at the random empty spaces on campus and decided the Cone Center would be a great permanent place with expansion capabilities."
Dies says, "We will dress up the space without moving any walls." The satellite center should be operating for the 2012 Fall Semester.
U.S. Army veteran Logan Cason served as the UNCC Veterans Student Outreach Coordinator before moving on to become the UNC Director of Military Education. Many of his military-friendly initiatives established at UNC Charlotte will now be implemented systemwide.
"This population of returning veterans has a unique skill set that distinguishes them from the traditional university student, and we are dedicated to supporting their transition into campus life to ensure their success as students at UNC Charlotte. A dedicated center will allow us to better focus our efforts and more effectively serve this growing population of soldier-scholars. By consolidating resources for these students, we're hoping to guarantee their graduation as future leaders for our North Carolina businesses and communities." UNC Director of Military Education Logan Cason
UNCC student Felipe Godinez is a 9-year U.S. Army veteran who will graduate in May with a degree in Political Science and Latin American Studies and a minor in Criminal Justice. He is founder of the UNC Charlotte Veterans Club:
"UNC Charlotte has come a long way in my 2.5 years. I am tremendously proud of the growth UNC Charlotte has gone through in supporting its growing numbers of veterans on campus. The center will serve in allowing a gathering place for veteran students to come together and ease the transition from the military to civilian life with emphasis in the classroom. It is my hope that this is only the beginning of a fruitful relationship that other universities will follow. I am proud to call myself a 49er."
Take Action
USO of North Carolina estimates start-up costs at $150,000. The subsequent annual operational cost is estimated at $50, 000. Falkenbury says they are seeking corporate sponsors to individually or collectively fund the establishment. "It must be budget neutral for us."
Consider being a sponsor for the USO-NC satellite center on the UNCC campus. Contact John Falkenbury at jfalkenbury@uso-nc.org.
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