Clemson officials welcome new Student Veteran Center

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CLEMSON — A new, expanded space dedicated to Clemson University’s student veteran population officially has a new home in Vickery Hall. A ribbon-cutting event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday in room 108 and will feature remarks from President James P. Clements along with Student Affairs staff. Previously, the Student Veteran Center was a much smaller space located in Tillman Hall.

“We could not be more proud of the services we have for student veterans here at Clemson,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Almeda Jacks. “Clemson is a military-rich institution, and this wonderful new space is available to the over 350 verified student veterans we have on our campus, along with their families.”

The Student Veteran Center was designed as a convenient and accessible place for veterans on campus to connect with other veterans and to resources to assist them through their transition into and throughout the Clemson experience. It is located in what was formerly an area for learning specialists with Athletic Academic Services.

The new center includes a lounge complete with a full kitchen area, couches, lockers and a multimedia setup featuring a 65-inch Roku TV and PlayStation 4 video game console. Adjacent to it is a quiet space featuring seven work stations and three desktop computers.

Brennan Beck, assistant director for military and veteran engagement in Student Affairs, has already seen the positive effects of the center in its first few months of operation.

“Even with Clemson’s rich military history and growing veteran support programs, the first and often loudest statement of our friendliness to incoming and prospective veterans has been the physical space of the Student Veteran Center,” Beck said. “Before, veterans felt they weren’t a priority at Clemson due to the small, cluttered center. Now, we can proudly show our veterans that they are important to Clemson University with our larger, improved center.”