Military Student Services adds lounge, event to support veterans

Since Purdue University Fort Wayne added the Office of Military Student Services in 2020, one of the long-term goals has been to establish a lounge where veterans on campus could visit between classes.

Through persistence and determination, an area in the Military Student Services office located in Kettler Hall, Room 110, recently opened. It features various snacks, coffee, hot chocolate, water, Roku, an Xbox, and a mini projector for movies. Though family and friends are also welcome, it’s a unique place for military-focused students who are often three or four years older than traditional students.

“I just want it to be a safe area for veterans to come back to,” said junior Brodie Johnson, an MSS student worker whose father recently retired from the military. “The more people we can get back here, the better. My goal is not only reaching out to veterans, but also helping them transition into regular civilian life. We want to build our community and keep expanding the numbers.”

Located on the southeast corner of Kettler’s first floor near the Career Development Center, the MSS office is a little tricky to find. The lounge is open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Fridays from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Nicole Welsh, senior compliance officer, said MSS has helped more than 170 students this year access their GI Bill benefits through the Veterans Administration, and there are generally more than 200 veterans taking classes each year.

Another change that took place during the fall semester was founding of the PFW Student Veterans Association of America chapter. Jamie Ewell serves as president, John Murphy as vice president, Ryan Knight as secretary, and Johnson as treasurer, with Welsh serving as advisor. The group meets monthly and organizes events veterans can relate to.

Along with hosting PFW’s annual Military Appreciation Day each fall, the November “Serving Those Who Serve” brunch, and Green Zone Training for faculty and staff, MSS is offering a new event March 17-21 called “22 A Day.” The term comes from a 2010 report that there are 22 veteran suicides a day, and the event encourages participants to do 22 of the same actions per day to promote mental health awareness. Then they are encouraged to post pictures on social media with #PFW22aday and tag MSS on Facebook or Instagram. It can be as simple as reading 22 pages of a book or walking for 22 minutes per day if it supports mental health.

Registration will be held March 3-7 on the Skybridge between Helmke Library and Walb Student Union. Those who complete the challenge will receive a 2025 PFW challenge coin, while supplies last. 

“This idea actually just became a brainchild thanks to one of the conferences I went to last year for the VA,” Welsh said. “Another certifying official spoke about doing this event, so we wondered if we could do it.”

MSS also recently started a newsletter for those who use the organization’s services. A mentoring project is also beginning behind Ewell’s impetus.

For more information, contact [email protected].