SUNY Oswego recently earned Military Times’ Best for Vets ranking for the third consecutive year, just as it announced a Veterans Day observance that will feature dedication of a Battle Buddy Center promoting camaraderie among veterans attending the college.

New York State Industries for the Disabled has designated the Battle Buddy Center within the college’s Veterans Lounge in Hewitt Union as a safe haven for veterans to socialize with each other and receive services that are unique to their military backgrounds.

“SUNY Oswego remains dedicated to providing outstanding educational services that reflect the unique needs of our veteran students,” said college President Deborah F. Stanley. “The Battle Buddy Center will enhance our ability to serve our veteran students as they transition from active duty into and through higher education. Creating a safe space that promotes a strong sense of community and supports academic and personal success for our veterans is a project we are proud to support.”

The Veterans Lounge, opened in 2013, and now its Battle Buddy Center are among many efforts SUNY Oswego has made and continues to make to assure the college is responsive to the unique challenges for veterans enrolling during or after military service. These steps have led to significant recognition, including the Military Times’ 2017 Best for Vets ranking.

Owner of newsweeklies focusing on each branch of service, Military Times weighs colleges’ and universities’ array of services, special rules, accommodations, campus culture and financial incentives for veterans through detailed surveys and comparative national data to arrive at the ranking.

Other SUNY schools on the “Best for Vets” list of 130 four-year institutions nationwide are University at Buffalo, Cobleskill, Delhi and Plattsburgh.

Oswego also has earned recognition as a Military Friendly School by Military Advanced Education and by G. I. Jobs. U.S. News and World Report placed Oswego 25th on its list of Best Colleges for Veterans among Regional Universities in the North.

‘More opportunities’

New York State Industries for the Disabled Inc. made SUNY Oswego the 12th NYSID-designated Battle Buddy location in New York state and the only college in Central New York offering this safe haven for vets. The designation recognizes Oswego’s past efforts to serve its military student population and will allow the college to enhance its ongoing support of the military community on campus.

Ben Parker, the college’s coordinator of veteran and military services, said the Battle Buddy designation and Best for Vets recognition both help move Oswego’s service to veterans onward and upward.

“We take great pride in successfully helping our student veterans transition to SUNY Oswego though programs and services across campus, and receiving the Battle Buddy Center designation from NYSID will allow us to provide even more veteran-specific opportunities,” Parker said. “Our partnerships with organizations like NYSID and Clear Path for Veterans help us go above and beyond by allowing us to address any and all challenges our student veterans may encounter that could interfere with their educational goals. Being ranked as one of the top four-year institutions for veterans by Military Times for the third consecutive year recognizes the value and importance of this support.”

Acting Provost Walter Roettger, Oswego’s vice president for academic affairs and a retired U.S. Air Force captain, will provide remarks at the Nov. 11 dedication ceremony, during which NYSID will present a check to the college in recognition of the Battle Buddy designation.

For more information, visit oswego.edu/veterans or contact Parker at benjamin.parker@oswego.edu or 315-312-2270.