Manhattan College to Take Part in Veterans Day Events
Stephen Kaplan, Ph.D., was honored by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and BronxNet will air a panel on Veterans Day.
Manhattan College will play a key role in the Bronx’s salute to veterans this week.
On Tuesday, November 10, Stephen Kaplan, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, was honored for his work with Manhattan College’s student veteran population. The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce will recognize Kaplan, alongside U.S. Navy First Class Petty Officer Christopher Norberto ’24 and three other veterans from the borough.
Kaplan’s first-year religious studies course, the Nature and Experience of Religion, included a mix of students – veterans and non-veterans alike – that was the basis for Manhattan College’s Veterans at Ease program. That course served as the springboard for the current Veterans Success Programs, which currently supports more than 100 Manhattan College student veterans.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Norberto served in the U.S. Navy for nine years. He was awarded Junior Sailor of the Quarter in 2018 at Naval Base Coronado, as well as four Navy Achievement Medals and one Army Achievement Medal. In addition, he was awarded one Expeditionary Warfare Specialist pin and one Aviation Warfare Pin.
Since leaving active duty in 2019, Norberto transitioned to academic life at Manhattan College, majoring in sociology. He is an active member of the Student Veterans Organization and provides regular peer support to other student veterans who are transitioning from military to academic life.
BronxNet Panel Discussion: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 3 p.m.
On November 11 at 3 p.m., BronxNet will air a panel discussion titled “Forward Together: The Transition from Service Member to Veteran.” Manhattan College president Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., along with Kirsten Battocchio ’18, James Dixon ’82 and other national leaders, will participate in a public conversation to explore issues affecting service members as they transition from military to civilian life.
The panel discussion can be watched live on BronxNet or on channel 67 (Optimum) and 2133 (FiOS) in BronxNet’s coverage area and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BronxNetTV/live/), and Instagram Live (https://www.instagram.com/bronxnettv/).