We live in the greatest nation on Earth.
For me, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our military servicemen and women. If it weren’t for the U.S. Army, I would have likely never met my wife, Jenny. She was brought to the United States from Germany as a child by her father, who served honorably in the U.S. Army for 21 years.
As I reflect on the importance of our military and the selfless sacrifices they make so we may enjoy freedom, I am thankful for the role our campuses and institutes play in preparing the next generation of servicemen and women, as well as assisting our veterans once they transition from service to civilian life.
Our universities across the state do an excellent job of providing challenging ROTC programs to develop students into leaders. Additionally, the University of Tennessee System places a priority on providing our military veterans an avenue to achieve their dream of a college degree once they leave the service. Our campuses in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Martin are home to official chapters of Student Veterans of America. Together with the UT Health Science Center, each helps to bridge the gap between military service and college by providing a veteran-friendly campus, peer-to-peer mentoring and even spaces specifically designed for our valued veterans.
Additionally, our UT Extension offices help support veterans by providing innovative programs that help today’s military become tomorrow’s farmers who seek to develop and cultivate an agriculture-based enterprise. The UT Institute for Public Service assists veterans with their businesses and certifications to pursue government contracts.
I encourage you to learn more about our services and resources that help ensure a prosperous and productive academic experience for those transitioning from soldier to student.
On behalf of all the campuses and institutes that comprise our University of Tennessee System, thank you for your service to our great country!
Randy Boyd, Knoxville ’79
