Monday, September 12, 2011

Widener University Again Named “Military Friendly” School

ROTC from Widener

Chester, Pa.—For the second year, G.I. Jobs magazine has selected Widener University as a “Military Friendly School” for 2012, placing it in the top 20 percent of all higher education institutions nationwide that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students.

The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.

“Given Widener’s mission as a university committed to civic engagement and service to the nation, and our history as Pennsylvania Military College, this is a great honor,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III.

In its effort to help student veterans find the right school, G.I. Jobs incorporated a survey of student veterans for the first time. This feedback provides prospective military students with insight into the student veteran experience at a particular institution based on peer reviews from current students. 

“The Military Friendly Schools list is the go-to resource for prospective student veterans searching for schools that provide the right overall experience,” said Michael Dakduk, executive director for the Student Veterans of America. “Nothing is more compelling than actual feedback from current student veterans.”

Widener participates in the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, offering an unlimited number of eligible undergraduate students a maximum of $8,600 per year. In addition, eligible graduate students can receive up to $1,000 per year, and doctoral students can receive up to $5,200 per year. 

In addition, the university introduced Widener CARES (Children of Active and Reserve Military Personnel Educational Scholarship) in 2005. This unique scholarship fund ensures that the children of U.S. military personnel, who are killed in action in either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, have the opportunity to pursue higher education.

Widener was known as Pennsylvania Military College until 1972, and the university still maintains a vibrant Army ROTC program that serves as the headquarters for other college and university ROTC programs throughout the Philadelphia region.

The Widener School of Law also provides one of the few Veterans Law Clinics in the nation, providing free legal aid to veterans in Delaware, Maryland, News Jersey and Pennsylvania who have been denied veterans benefits.

G.I. Jobs is the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. Published by Victory Media, Inc., a veterans-owned business, G.I. Jobs annually selects the nation’s “Military Friendly Schools” and publishes results in the annual guide to Military Friendly Schools. For more information, visit www.militaryfriendlyschools.com.

No comments:

Post a Comment