Campus Life

UWF to host lecture highlighting community support of military veterans

The University of West Florida chapter of Student Veterans of America will host “Overcoming Adversity” on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the UWF Conference Center. The event will highlight the achievements of the Carl Brashear Foundation, Volunteers of America, Student Veterans of America and the UWF Military Veterans Resource Center for their continued advocacy in assisting military and veteran communities.

Philip Brashear, president of the Carl Brashear Foundation, will be the featured guest speaker. He is the son of Master Chief Carl Brashear, who was the first African-American and amputee to become a U.S. Navy diver. C. Brashear’s story was depicted in the 2000 feature film, “Men of Honor,” starring Cuba Gooding Jr.

Joining Brashear will be a UWF MVRC official to speak on the University’s commitment to supporting military and veteran students as they make the transition to campus life, as well as a representative from Volunteers of America, who will discuss the work being done to help homeless veterans transition into permanent homes. A speaker from Student Veterans of America national leadership will also be present to highlight the organization’s work for military communities in the past, present and future.

This event is sponsored by the UWF MVRC, Alumni Association and Office of Diversity and International Education and Programs. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

UWF has an extensive history of supporting veterans as they pursue higher education, showcased by its recognition as a top military-friendly school by both Military Advanced Education magazine and G.I. Jobs magazine consecutively since 2008. The MVRC at UWF serves as a resource center to assist military and veteran students as they transition from the military environment to campus life. Tutoring, advising and counseling are some of the services that are provided through the center.

For additional information about UWF’s support for military and veteran students, visit the MVRC website, uwf.edu/militaryveterans.