Drexel's Veterans Task Force has planned a number of different activities and events for the University community to show their support of our nation's veterans. The first is this Friday, November 11, when the Drexel community celebrates the opening of a new space in the Armory dedicated to Drexel's student-veterans.
Drexel University Veterans Lounge Opening and Dedication
Friday, November 11, 2011
4 pm
Drill Floor of the Drexel Armory , enter via 33rd Street
The Drexel community is invited to a special opening and dedication as a way to salute our nation's veterans and celebrate Drexel's commitment to today's student-veterans. The program will include ceremony, ribbon cutting, reception and lounge visitation.
This dedicated space is designed for use by Drexel's student-veterans; the University has nearly 300 currently enrolled, according to Drexel ROTC member Lt. Col. Maura Gillen. Many of these students are adult learners and are in a different age and experience bracket than other Drexel students, Gillen says. This space will serve as a place for them to gather, study and socialize with other student-veterans and Drexel ROTC members.
The lounge was made possible through a generous alumni gift.
All opening ceremony attendees will receive a commemorative 11-11-11 Dragon Dog Tags, presented by Drexel ROTC cadets.
Following the opening, attendees are invited to experience the 103rd Engineer Battalion, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, known as the “Dandy First,” through the museum housed in the Armory annex (connected to the Drill Hall/Buckley Courts by a corridor). The museum, which is not typically open to the public, houses a collection of artifacts and memorabilia commemorating the history of the unit from 1777, when it was organized as “The Artillery Battalion,” through the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and in its current service as 103rd Engineer Battalion (Infantry Division), Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
The curator, Master Sergeant Jack Ragan, served with the 103rd for thirty years before retiring, and currently serves as the commander of the American Legion Post, also located in the Armory Annex.
Veterans Who Earned The Dragon Heart Photo Exhibit
Through November 18
Creese Student Center, 32nd and Chestnut Streets
In an effort to raise awareness about military service and those who have served in the Drexel community, the Veterans Task Force at Drexel invited the entire Drexel community to contribute to a photo display honoring veterans they admired and respected. Photographs of "favorite vets" were received by Rebecca L. Weidensaul, associate dean of students via email duting the last two weeks of October for display in the Creese Case (at the entrance to the Café). The exhibit will run through November 18.
Score for Humanity with Drexel Women’s Hoops
Friday, November 11
5 pm
Daskalakis Athletic Center, 33rd and Market Streets, north entrance
The Drexel Green Sustainability Council has partnered with Drexel Athletics and other community partners, including the Veterans Task Force, for a special event on Friday, November 11 when the Dragons open the Women's National Invitational Tournament. The organiztions will hold a clothing drive from 5-7 p.m., and collect new and used clothing and shoes at the DAC north gym entrance. To support our veterans we will donate all salvageable men's items to a Veteran's Group in the Powelton neighborhood. The rest will be donated to other charitable organizations or will be recycled. Then stay for the game at 7pm and support the Drexel Dragons. For more information regarding the clothing collection, email sustainability@drexel.edu.
Dragon Drive Contributions to Support Veterans
The Veterans Task Force, with the help of Drexel's Human Resources, identified opportunities for Drexel employees to contribute to veteran support agencies during Dragon Drive, the annual employee giving campaign a Drexel during the month of October. One of the organizations was The Veterans Group, which is located in Drexel's immediate community. Additional charities included the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center and the Pennsylvania Veterans Assistance Fund, Inc. For more information or to send suggestions, email Rebecca@drexel.edu.