The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University awarded more than $9,400 to six Indiana student veterans' organizations, including one that replicated a football rivalry event that raised more than $2,700 for a veterans' charity. The grants ranged from $685 to $2,000 and were awarded through MFRI's Operation Diploma. Funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., Operation Diploma supports student veterans' organizations at Indiana's higher education institutions. The student veterans' organizations offer social support to members and encourage them to become involved in campus and community initiatives, collaborations and service projects.
"These organizations provide a sense of community and can help educate their members about the spectrum of services available to them, including financial aid, academic advising and student services," said Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, professor of child wwwelopment and family studies at Purdue and director of MFRI.
A panel of industry, academic and peer judges evaluated proposals from across the state according to criteria that included quality of mission, clarity of initiatives and renewed sustainability. The panel included Samuel Alameda, president of the student veterans' organization at Indiana University South Bend; Don MacKay, director of business integration at Sears Holdings Management Corp.; Gary Steinhardt, Purdue professor of agronomy; and Gary Tyler, director of the Indiana office of the U.S. Department of Labor.
The panel awarded three top honors:
- First place: Purdue University
- Second place: Ivy Tech-Sellersburg
- Third place: University of Evansville
Also receiving grants were organizations at Purdue University Calumet; Grace College and Theological Seminary; and the combined organization serving Purdue College of Technology Columbus, Ivy Tech Columbus and Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus.
"When fully implemented, these proposals have the potential to make a difference in the lives of student service members and veterans," said Stacie Hitt, director of Operation Diploma. "We were pleased to see the dedication and hard work that went into crafting each organizational plan."