As our university begins its celebrations of 150 years of excellence, it is a time for us to remember our rich history and celebrate our diverse student body from the past and the present. On campus, we have students from every walk of life, including veterans from our armed services.

These exceptional Pioneers, who have traveled the globe and been on the front-lines in tackling global issues, have developed experiences and leadership that the university can benefit from and that contribute to enhancing the student body as a whole. Veterans need a greater voice on campus and through recognizing and appreciating veterans as individuals, while bringing them into the fold of campus life, the student body can ensure this critical group of Pioneers grows and thrives.

Student veterans, who experienced various wars and global conflicts, have unique perspectives and traits that can enhance the academic experience throughout campus. As Mike Shay, veteran services coordinator for DU stated in an interview, “educational excellence is improved by diversity, opinions and perspectives” and “student veterans have those experiences from being involved with many political and social situations.”

Our veterans have a story to tell. After devoting themselves to the service of our nation for countless years and shaping the world firsthand, these incredible individuals can enhance the dialogue on campus and inspire all of us to break through new barriers and surpass new limits.

With a reported 306 veterans on campus, veterans are in the process of establishing deep roots within DU. With a rising Student Veterans Association, a dedicated student veterans population and positive relations with the school and administration, the student veterans’ presence on campus will continue to grow and thrive.

A larger presence on campus is critical for this dedicated group of individuals, who have what Shay described as “a commitment to service” in helping the community, because they can substantially enhance student life and the campus spirit. These veterans are Pioneers and the pride of DU — by establishing themselves on campus, we will see amazing results from their dedication to excellence.
In growing and establishing student veterans as a major group of Pioneers and helping veterans gain a voice on campus, we must be aware of these individuals and accept who these veterans are. In recognizing each veteran by his or her experiences, appreciating who they are as individuals and learning their story, a growing relationship between student veterans and the student body can develop and student veterans can become more deeply rooted within our community. Openness, acceptance of these Pioneers and embracing these veterans in different aspects of campus life is the way DU can help our veterans thrive.

After 150 years of diverse Pioneers united under a common standard of excellence and community, the student veteran community is growing and defining the future legacy of Pioneers. Student veterans are the epitome of what it means to be a Pioneer and will continue to define Denver for years to come.