On Tuesday, September 13, Manhattan University hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new Student Veterans Success Center. This center is home to the Student Veterans Organization, a supportive community group that promotes awareness and coordinates programs for student veterans on campus. The new Student Veterans Success Center will provide a space for student veterans to spend time together, study and plan community events. Watch this clip from WPIX11 News to learn more about the new space.
“We at Manhattan University are dedicated to the success of our veterans. This includes supporting their involvement in academic and social activities on campus, and most importantly, their transition to academic and civilian life,” said Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, interim president of Manhattan University. “This new center will serve as a space for student veterans to connect with one another and access the support system that will help them thrive on campus and beyond.”
The opening of the center reflects the University’s longstanding commitment to veterans and the military community – which dates all the way back to the Civil War, when Private Ernst Spangner attended Manhattan University. When World War I was declared in 1917, Manhattan University students organized themselves into five battalions to drill together every Friday in preparation for voluntary and draft service. During World War II, the University condensed its semesters to offer an accelerated program for students who may have been called to serve.
Today, Manhattan University is consistently recognized as a top school for student veterans by U.S. News & World Report, and the University’s Veterans Success Programs are recognized nationally by Military Times and G.I. Jobs. The Student Veterans Organization recognizes the unique challenges that veterans face in their transition to life outside of military service, and its goal is to provide a sense of community for student veterans.
“When you get out of the military, you feel aimless,” said Christopher Norberto, ‘24, president of the Student Veterans Organization at Manhattan University. “The veterans center provides a place where you can go to meet other veterans who share a similar background and experience. This strong sense of community and connection is cathartic and allowed me to thrive.”
The center will include three distinct spaces, including a quiet study space, a group meeting space, and a more social and collaborative space for student veterans to meet. The center is also conveniently located in the same building as several campus resources including a café, the Center for Career Development, the Center for Academic Success, Financial Aid office, Residence Life office, the Writing Center, the Specialized Resource Center, and Study Abroad office.
Manhattan University opened its first Veterans Success Center in fall 2017, but quickly outgrew the space. This new expanded center will be able to accommodate more than double the occupancy of the former location.
Military and Veteran Admissions
Are you looking to apply to the University as a veteran student? For admissions-related questions, contact Robert Rahni, director of transfer and veteran admissions via email at rrahni01@manhattan.edu, or via phone at (718) 862-7299. You may also complete this form to request information about the University.