KU News Release

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has been named to a select list of “military-friendly colleges and universities” by Military Advanced Education magazine.

“Nearly all KU programs have some military representation, including political science, history, public administration and computer science,” the magazine reported in its November-December 2009 issue. “Programs specifically targeting military include supply chain management and logistics, petroleum management and strategic communications. The university also leads an Army program to help wounded soldiers earn master’s degrees and find new jobs within the Army.”

Of the 129 schools listed, KU was one of only 20 cited for “particularly good academics” and one of 37 identified as having “notable veterans support programs.”

“KU has always offered a warm, welcoming and supportive environment for future, current and retired armed forces personnel,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. “The university is proud of its role in helping educate ROTC members, active duty personnel and veterans.”

Among KU’s many offerings to veterans are

— An Office of Veterans Services, which offers useful resources for students with military obligations and has a dedicated VA certifying official to help with eligibility for VA benefits. The office also offers is a “one-stop withdrawal” program to assist students called to active duty.

— An Office of Professional Military Graduate Education, which oversees the interdisciplinary doctoral program in special studies for military officers and runs the Wounded Warriors initiative, a pilot program that allows injured soldiers in the Army to complete graduate degrees. Upon graduation, the soldiers can return to the Army, which will benefit from their educational and personal experiences.

— The nation’s second-oldest Collegiate Veterans Association chapter. Its student members are developing veteran-specific policies for the university, including a payment plan that allows veterans to pay tuition over the course of a semester to accommodate those who receive GI Bill payments monthly. The association recently worked with the university to create a veteran’s lounge, study area and resource center in the Burge Union.

— Academic programs specifically aimed at military personnel and veterans, such as the School of Business’ supply chain management and logistics program and petroleum management program; an interagency studies master’s program; an interdisciplinary doctorate in special studies for military officers; and a training program in strategic communications for officers at Fort Leavenworth through KU’s journalism school. There also are many seminars, lectures and other events of interest to military-related students. Among events this fall were the Peace, War and Global Change Seminar series, a women’s leadership in the military panel discussion and programming sponsored by the Dole Institute of Politics.

— Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC detachments, which maintain an active presence on campus and sponsor a number of events popular with veterans, including 24-hour Veterans Day vigils at three of the university’s six war memorials and a program featuring a notable speaker that day. KU Army ROTC hosts the annual Ranger Buddy Competition at KU’s Adams Campus Outdoor Education Center, a challenge course with a series of activities consisting of real and imaginary obstacles. The event draws more than 100 teams from dozens of states and universities.

— Among KU’s 600-plus student organizations are 23 competitive club sports plus the Semper Fi Society, the Strength Club, Supply Chain Management Club, Scabbard and Blade Society (a joint service academic honor society), Arnold Air Society (Air Force academic honor society), the Air Force ROTC Shooting Team, an Iraq War veterans group and the Collegiate Veterans Association.