Members of the public, military veterans, and friends of Gavilan College are invited to the grand opening for the Gavilan College Veterans’ Resource Center. Student veterans are an integral and growing part of the Gavilan College student body. The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) provides one-stop access to the resources and services they need.
The VRC is staffed by student veterans whose goal is to help other veterans manage the transition from military service to the academic setting. The VRC is a place for veterans to connect with one another, learn about available campus services, and to provide a welcome and familiar environment for incoming veteran students.
The keynote speaker for the grand opening will be Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, General Peter J. Gravett [ret.] The event will include tours, light refreshments, a ribbon-cutting by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, and recognition for founders of the center. Participating in the event will be the Gilroy VFW Color Guard and the Patriot Guard Riders. The event is sponsored by the Gavilan College Associated Student Body and Gavilan College Faculty Association.
According to Gavilan College President Steve Kinsella (a veteran of the United States Marine Corps): “These veterans have unique experiences and skills that can be enhanced through a quality college education. They are entering a new phase in their lives and while challenging, opportunities are once again boundless for this group of students. We support them as they have supported us.”
The VRC provides access to the following services:
• Financial aid information
• VA benefits and certification help
• Veteran mentors and academic tutoring
• Readjustment counseling
• Scholarship information
• Peer-to-peer student support
• Mental health counseling
• Veterans club information
• Disability rating assistance
About the keynote speaker: Peter J. Gravett is an alumnus of a California Community College, having attended Long Beach City College prior to earning his bachelors degree in criminology at California State University, Long Beach. He then had a 22-year career with the Los Angeles Police Department where he was awarded “the department’s highest honor for bravery,” the Los Angeles Police Department Medal of Valor. Gravett also earned a master’s of public administration from the University of Southern California, and executive diplomas from the University of Virginia and from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy. He served in both the U.S. Army and the California National Guard, retiring with more than 40 years of service in numerous countries in Europe, Asia and Central America. He served as commanding general of the 40th Infantry Division from 1999 to 2002. At that time, he was promoted to the two-star rank of major general, becoming the first African American National Guard division commander in the Guard’s 225-year history. While in this command, Gravett served a dual assignment in Kiev, Ukraine with NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program. Throughout his career, Gravett has been presented with more than 20 awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He was appointed as secretary of the California Department of Veteran Affairs by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011.
To attend this event click here.
For more information about services for veterans at Gavilan College, click here 408-848-4787.
EVENT INFO:
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 4. Program from 12:50 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lawn area outside Library 109, Gavilan College Gilroy Campus, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy