Adrian College Named Military Friendly School posted 8/16/10
College plans Military Appreciation Day for community

ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College is pleased to announce that it is included in today’s release of G.I. Jobs 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.

“Adrian College is honored to be selected as a Military Friendly School,” said Dr. Jeffrey Docking, president of Adrian College. “While our efforts to assist veterans are small compared to their efforts to defend our country, we appreciate being recognized as a college that believes in patriotism and service to our country.”

Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.

The list was compiled through exhaustive research starting last April during which G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from across the country as well as Keith Wilson, VA’s director of education services; Michele Spires, American Council on Education’s assistant director of military programs; Janet Swandol, associate director for CLEP and Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America.

“As young heroes return from the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan our nation needs to do everything possible to support their education and adjustment back into society,” said Docking. “Adrian College makes a concerted effort to assist in this effort. While we are proud of this award, our veterans should know that we will continue to increase our efforts to support those who defend our country every day.” 

Adrian College will be celebrating this achievement while honoring all local veterans and active service men and women with Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 11.

“This day is another effort by the College to express our commitment to the men and women who serve and defend our country,” said Docking. “Adrian College is built on a tradition of commitment and loyalty to those who serve our country. Military Appreciation Day is an expression of these values and we invite all in Lenawee County to join us.”

The event will surround the Bulldogs opening home football game against Defiance College. A special picnic and recognition for Adrian College alumni, employees and Lenawee County residents who are U. S. military veterans or active service members will take place before the game. The picnic begins at 4 P.M. in the James F. Thomas Pavilion next to the Multisport Performance Stadium. Patriotic pre-game ceremonies and recognition begin at 5:45 P.M. with kickoff scheduled for 6 P.M. A halftime military tribute will be performed by the AC Marching Band.

For more information call 517-264-3124 or email alumni@adrian.edu no later than Sept. 1. Each veteran/active duty person who R.S.V.P.'s will also receive two complimentary tickets to the football game.

The College will be honored during halftime in which President Docking will be presented with the Military Friendly Schools award. All spectators are encouraged to wear red, white and blue.

A full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in late September. The newly redesigned website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans in choosing schools that best meet their personal educational needs. The site currently shows 2010 Military Friendly Schools but will switch to the 2011 list in late September.

Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.

Adrian College has been recognized, in part, for its Operation Education scholarship. This scholarship offers any disabled veteran who was injured post 9-11, while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, a full scholarship to the College. To learn more about this scholarship and to be considered as a candidate for the 2011-2012 academic year, please visit the Operation Education website.