A new Veteran and Military Center for students opens Thursday at Wright State University.
The 4,500 square foot facility on Wright State’s Dayton campus will feature a lounge and kitchen space, private study areas, and computers. Veteran and Military Center Director Dr. Seth Gordon says the center is an important part of the university’s outreach to vets on campus.
“Veterans trust other veterans. Military people trust other military people," he said. "They have a shared experience and they know that they understand each other, and so that’s why creating this space where they can feel that they belong and that Wright State is demonstrating to them that they want them here.”
Gordon says there are some veterans attending Wright State who have some level of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and so large crowds or other aesthetics—like the size of a particular room—can have a negative effect on them. The center offers them an alternative to those environments and veterans were asked for input on some of the center’s design.
Wright State serves more than 650 veteran or military-connected students. The center helps students navigate military benefits and financial aid.
*Dr. Seth Gordon is a member of the WYSO Resource Board.
