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Front and Center
Inaugural Faculty/Staff Veterans Stole Ceremony in the Miller Education Center atrium. photo by Andy Heidt
CENTER and FRONT
The Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center epitomizes MTSU’s long history of supporting those who served
MTSU has a long tradition of aiding veterans in their transition from military to civilian life. Year after year, MTSU has been recognized by national publications such as Military Times and G.I. Jobs magazine as being one of the top universities in the U.S. for veteran education. In the mid-2000s, with the rising number of veterans returning to campus, MTSU began ramping up its support toward student veterans and family members. Actions such as the creation of the Veterans Memorial, the founding of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, and the designation of a small space for a veterans’ lounge all pointed to developing a critical mass of support for veteran education. In 2011, MTSU became the first institution of higher education in the state (and one of the first in the country) to partner with the Veteran Affairs’ new VetSuccess on Campus program. The next big step came at the start of 2015, when retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith M. Huber was hired. Serving as the senior advisor for veterans and leadership initiatives and reporting to the president and provost, the retired general quickly became a key advocate for student veterans. His initial assignment was to research and assess MTSU’s veteran environment and based on those findings take action. At that same time, MTSU administrator Hilary Miller was moved into the newly created, full-time position of center director. On Nov. 5, 2015, MTSU opened the Veterans and Military Family Center on campus. The center is now named the
Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center as a result of the generous donations through the years from The Journey Home Project, co-founded by country music legend Charlie Daniels. In 2017, the center opened its Veterans Transitioning Home office to further help veterans by matching them with prospective employers. The center is a 3,200-square-foot, comprehensive, “one-stop” hub for student veterans (mtsu.edu/ military)—one of the nation’s largest such centers— with a five-point mission to: • enroll student-veterans and family members • encourage them while at MTSU • assist with employment • educate the university community • expand the veteran-education knowledge base Everything a student veteran needs to succeed is available in the Keathley University Center location, from scheduling courses and completing government paperwork to getting questions answered about benefits and employment opportunities. The Daniels Center provides service and support for over a thousand student veterans and their family members at MTSU. And Huber is in his fifth year leading MTSU’s ongoing push to help student veterans be successful at college and beyond. The creation of the Daniels Center on campus is just the latest step in MTSU becoming the most military-friendly university in America.
The Nashville Predators pro hockey club, in concert with Bridgestone Arena, will help raise money for The General’s Fund at MTSU.
