A Duke-Army Tailgate Party Illustrates a Growing Community of Student Veterans
The gridiron Duke-Army clash was also a moment for the Duke student veteran community to meet and network. Photo by Jared Lazarus
More than 250 student veterans, family members and veterans from the local community packed the pavilion overlooking Koskinen Stadium for a tailgate party prior to Friday night's Duke-Army football game.
Student organizers said the large turnout suggested a desire from students and faculty alike for continued support of and growth within the military population at Duke. The party is an example of the momentum in building a network of community and services for the growing student veteran population. The Division of Student Affairs has allocated staff and resources to supporting student veterans across the university with academic, networking, community and benefit services.
Says Anna Page, a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves now studying in the Divinity School, “This community is integral to Duke as military affiliated students are leaders across the campus.”
“It's exciting to see the energy and community among student veterans at Duke but they are by no means insular! Just as they benefit by attending Duke's premier schools and interacting in the civilian community, non-military students can find value and understanding by connecting with their military classmates and learning about their unique experiences. What a resource they are to have on our campus! Thanks to support by the university, the GI Bill, and the leadership and involvement by core veterans and their spouses, this group is growing - and I expect - and hope - we'll hear more about them in the future.”
-- Law Professor Charles Dunlap, former former deputy judge advocate general of the United States Air Force
“This community is integral to Duke as military affiliated students are leaders across the campus. The tailgate was one small way of saying "thank you" and one of many community building events to come. Ultimately, the tailgate was emblematic of the university’s value of military affiliated students and how we desire to integrate and embrace them within the Duke scholarly community.”
-- Anna Page, Divinity student and graduate assistant in the Office of Student Veterans
