It was a week of tradition and memorable firsts as the University of the Incarnate Word community commemorated Veterans Day, a day the entire nation pauses to thank our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. UIW’s Veterans Day celebrations got off to an early and exciting start at UIW. On Monday, November 6, UIW was named the number one university in the nation on the “Best for Vets” list released by Military Times magazine. The publication recognized UIW’s commitment to veterans, current members of the military and their families. Specifically, the Military Times “Best for Vets” list is based on a survey of 325 schools rated in several categories including range of resources and financial aid. Student success metrics (completion, retention, persistence, GPA) were the most important factors in ranking the schools.
“Being located in San Antonio, Texas, known as Military City, USA, the University of the Incarnate Word knows the meaning of honoring our service members and their families,” said Jonathan Lovejoy, UIW senior director for Military and Veterans Affairs. “At UIW, we make a concerted effort every day to make sure our veterans and their families feel welcome and supported. Today, we are proud to say that approximately 21% of UIW students are military connected. UIW is constantly striving to better serve our amazing military and veteran student population and better serving students has always been a part of the UIW Mission.”
On Friday, November 10, UIW held its traditional Veterans Day Ceremony in the Student Engagement Center on the Broadway campus. The event brought together veterans and members of the UIW community and featured a presentation of the colors, a wreath laying and a flag folding ceremony. Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines were all in attendance.
“We are surrounded today by reasons and people for which to be grateful,” said UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans in his remarks during the ceremony. “Among them are our student veterans, active-duty military students, ROTC students and our many military families. We are also deeply grateful for our military and veteran faculty and staff members who support our military-affiliated students as no others can. This is especially true of our UIW Military and Veteran Center employees, faculty and staff who work hard to serve our service members and do all that they can to make sure their journeys at UIW are successful and well-supported.”
“I am truly filled with gratitude today,” concluded Evans. “So, with my deepest respect and admiration to all of you who have served in the military, I wish you and your families many blessings on Veterans Day.”
Events concluded on Saturday, November 11, as UIW participated in the official City of San Antonio Veterans Day Parade. The parade went through downtown San Antonio and featured various military-affiliated organizations. The UIW contingent included military veterans, the UIW cheer team and the Marching Cardinals band.
“UIW knows the meaning of honoring our nation’s veterans, service members and their families,” Lovejoy stated as he reflected on the week’s festivities. “I am extremely proud of the response we received all week from the UIW community at the various events and the recognition from the Military Times publications. But our work is far from done. For us, every day we strive to honor and better serve our military connected students. We will continue to make sure our veterans and their families receive the help they deserve as they navigate a transformational time in their lives and achieve their educational and personal goals.”
UIW is proud that many active-duty members, veterans, and retired service members have chosen the University as their place of education. The entrusted responsibility of supporting these students through various ways is one that the University has been and continues to be committed to.
