November 8, 2021

Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

Veterans Day marks an important moment to show our gratitude and respect for those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and for their families.

Generations of soldiers have demonstrated the timeless virtues of honor, integrity, selflessness and courage by answering the call to military service and risking their lives in the defense of our country. Our military families also have shown great courage and made tremendous sacrifices that warrant our gratitude.

Veterans transitioning to civilian life, as well as military dependents, deserve the best educational opportunities our country has to offer. As a Yellow Ribbon School since 2009, Drexel is proud and honored to welcome more than 600 student-veterans and military dependents to campus every year. These extraordinary individuals, along with military-affiliated faculty, professional staff and alumni, greatly enhance the diversity of our University community. Their experience and exceptional skills and character enable them to contribute to our University’s best work, bolstering our teaching and research capacity. And they inspire us all.

In a spirit of gratitude, Drexel has been hosting a series of Veterans and Military Family Appreciation events to allow all members of the University community to engage with and support our military-affiliated students and colleagues. So far, highlights have included a half-day virtual conference, "Pivot and March Forward," which explored the opportunities available from military service to educational and career success. Additionally, Drexel’s Veterans Day Tribute at noon on Thursday, November 11 will be a hybrid event, with options to participate in person in Gerri C. Lebow Hall or to observe via livestream. The full schedule of events, which are open to all members of the University community, is available online.

I hope you will join me in extending our deepest appreciation to the veterans at Drexel and across our community whose selfless service to our country has earned our lasting gratitude and respect.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President