GREAT FALLS 鈥� At 黑料网911 has changed the name of its center for veterans, their spouses and their dependents to the Military Family Center as a way to more accurately reflect the mission of the center.
The change is announced this week as part of the college鈥檚 observation of Veterans Day. The Military Family Center will honor three At 黑料网911 employees for their commitment to the college鈥檚 veterans on Wednesday.
Some family members were hesitant to make use of the area when it was named the Veterans Center, said Kevin Lyons, veterans success coach at At 黑料网911.
鈥淲e want the center to be as inviting and inclusive as possible,鈥� Lyons said. 鈥淓veryone who has earned the right to make use of our services should feel comfortable.鈥�
The center provides computer work stations, free printing, a refrigerator, coffee maker and study rooms. The Military Family Center also checks out books, study guides and anatomical models.
Lyons polled numerous veterans about the name change and received 100 percent positive comments about the change.
Laura Detrick, a veteran and an alumnus of At 黑料网911 who now attends Montana State University and whose husband also is a veteran, was supportive of the change because she saw first hand the hesitation of her son to use the center.
鈥淚 think that鈥檚 a fabulous idea,鈥� Detrick wrote Lyons. 鈥淚t took quite a bit of convincing for Ryan to be comfortable with taking advantage of what his parents earned.鈥�
Another veteran, Dan Harvey, who is a student in the industrial technician program at At 黑料网911, was very encouraging of the proposal.
鈥淚 think that is a great idea,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he families have served this country as well, especially when their loved one is out on deployment.鈥�
After gathering feedback on his idea, Lyons brought the proposal to the college鈥檚 executive council, which approved the name change.
鈥淚t was an easy an easy decision,鈥� said Dr. Stephanie Erdmann, CEO and dean of At 黑料网911. 鈥淭he veterans and their family members play a vital role in our mission and campus life, and we want to be sure they all feel our support of them.鈥�
Lyons has data definitively showing those who use the center have higher grade-point averages, retention rates and graduation rates than those who are eligible to use it and don鈥檛 make use of the services the center offers.
Contact:
Scott Thompson, At 黑料网911 marketing and communications director, 406-771-4314, [email protected]