Community Corner

New Center at USF Supports Student Veterans

The Veterans Achievement Center is a place for student veterans to connect with one another.

The values its student veterans and has a new place for them to gather and study.

The 3,000-square-foot Veterans Achievement Center opened Aug. 30 in the John and Grace Allen Building. It’s designed to support the more than 1,700 military veterans enrolled in USF, according to a press release from the university.

“USF is proud to serve our growing student veteran population with dedicated campus personnel, onsite Veterans Administration representation, special course offerings, and social programs—all focused on easing the transition from military life to campus life,” said Larry Braue, director of the Office of Veterans Services, in the release. “With the addition of the Veterans Achievement Center, we now have a destination for this valued group to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow veterans, academic resources, and the support of our office.”

Find out what's happening in Land O' Lakeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The center was made possible through support from the Birdies for the Brave Tampa Bay Foundation, the release states. Birdies for the Brave is the PGA Tour Charity Group’s main tool to support the U.S. Armed Forces and their families by raising millions of dollars for eight military home front groups, as well as the Department of Defense approved local foundations supporting military veterans.

“The Birdies for the Brave Tampa Bay Foundation is most pleased to support the ongoing efforts of USF to ensure that veterans and active duty service members feel welcomed and supported on campus,” said Foundation Chairman Tom Gates in the release. “These men and women have made sacrifices in their service to our country. Our Foundation is dedicated to honoring those veterans that are taking a step toward making a better life for themselves and their families.”

Find out what's happening in Land O' Lakeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Additionally, donations from Aaron’s, Inc. and the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Iron Order Motorcycle Club supported the purchase of electronics and appliances for the center, according to the release.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Land O' Lakes