The University of Central Arkansas honored U.S. military veterans, current service members and military families during its annual Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 6, in McCastlain Hall Ballroom.
The celebration, held each year on the Thursday before Veterans Day, brings together the UCA campus and Conway community to recognize and show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of veterans across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“This event is a powerful reminder of the courage, commitment and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans,” Greg Pelts, director of the UCA Veterans and Military Resource Center, said. “It’s also an opportunity for our campus and community to come together in gratitude and to ensure our veterans know they are supported and valued year-round.”
During the afternoon ceremony, Brigadier General Chad Bridges delivered keynote remarks, and UCA hosted a swearing-in ceremony for 20 new military recruits enlisting in the U.S. Army, Air National Guard, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. The program also included musical performances by UCA’s Pinnacle Brass and vocalist Sydney Siler.
U.S. Army recruits being sworn in during UCA’s Veterans Day Celebration.
Air National Guard recruits being sworn in during UCA’s Veterans Day Celebration.
Army ROTC cadets being sworn in during UCA’s Veterans Day Celebration.
Two UCA student veterans were recognized with scholarships in honor of their dedication and service. Dylan Nutt, a Marine Corps veteran in the Physical Therapy DPT program, received the Tidwell Scholarship from Mark and Tracy Tidwell, and Zachary Tarver, Army National Guard medic and Psychology major, received the Veterans Day Scholarship from the University of Central Arkansas Veterans Day Committee.
Dylan Nutt (center) received the Tidwell Scholarship from Tracy (left) and Mark Tidwell.
Zachary Tarver (right) received the Veterans Day Scholarship from the University of Central Arkansas Veterans Day Committee, presented by Greg Pelts, director of the UCA Veterans and Military Resource Center.
The event also featured a Veterans Information Fair with resources for veterans and military families, including employment opportunities, education benefits, VA home loans, disability claims and health care enrollment.
The Veterans Day Celebration is coordinated by the UCA Veterans Day Committee and the UCA Veterans and Military Resource Center, which provides education benefit support, transition assistance and community connections for student veterans, service members and their dependents.
More information about the UCA Veterans and Military Resource Center is available at uca.edu/veteranservices or by contacting 501-852-2999 or veteranservices@uca.edu.
The University of Central Arkansas is a military friendly campus. The UCA Veterans and Military Resource Center was established to maximize the experience of military connected students. The purpose of the center is to assist student veterans, currently serving military members, and their dependents to better understand and access the education benefits they have earned. Additionally, the center assists veterans in their transition to the civilian college environment so that they may be more successful.