Widener University Again Named “Military Friendly” School

Chester, Pa.—For the third year, Victory Media, Inc. has selected Widener University as a “Military Friendly School,” placing it in the top 15 percent of all higher education institutions nationwide that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

The 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data driven survey of more than 12,000 Veterans Administration-approved schools nationwide. The survey tabulation process, methodology and weighting that comprise the 2013 list were independently verified by Ernst and Young LLP. Each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings 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.

The Military Friendly Schools media and website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, feature the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows Widener’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs and vice president at Victory Media. 

Widener participates in the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, and 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, New Jersey and Pennsylvania who have been denied veterans benefits.

A full story and detailed list of 2013 Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual G.I. Jobs Guide to Military Friendly Schools, distributed to active and former military personnel in early October. Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business founded in 2001. Victory’s free, data-driven Military Friendly lists can be found at www.gijobs.com/2012Top100, www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, and www.militaryfranchising.com. Victory’s lists are also published in G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines.