Concordia Opens Veterans Resource Center
Concordia recently opened a Veterans Resource Center to assist student veterans in transitioning to their academic studies at the University. The Center will focus on helping veterans with the financial aid process to receive aid from the federal government through the new GI Bill. The Center also provides a place for veterans to study, socialize, learn more about their education benefits, and troubleshoot specialized issues that can arise for veterans and current military personnel attending college.
The Veterans Resource Center will be staffed by Andrew Wasmund, a veteran whose work as Concordias student veteran liaison is funded by the Veterans Administration. A Criminal Justice major at CSP, Wasmund is a former Army Sergeant and OIF combat veteran who served four years of active duty in Korea, Germany, Kuwait and Iraq.
"As a combat veteran who returned to college, I know the challenges of returning to civilian life," Wasmund said. "And trying to figure out all of your VA benefits can be overwhelming. My goal is to help ease that burden and help veterans adapt to their new mission of returning back to school."
Concordia was an easy choice for him, Wasmund said, because his father is a Concordia alumnus, he enjoys the close Christian-Lutheran environment at CSP, and he has previous experience working in the veterans center at Normandale Community College. Paul Ives, Concordias Military Relations Liaison and Air Force Reserves Chaplain-Assistant said he is pleased that the University is able to provide this service to veterans.
"For years, an informal community of veterans has existed at Concordia University but this new Veterans Resource Center will give them a physical place to hang out, swap stories and learn from other veterans," Ives said. "Our Center will be a place where veterans can help other veterans."
Andrew Wasmund can be reached at 651-641-8732 or at vetcenter@csp.edu. Faculty and staff are invited to visit the center located in DH120 across from the recreation center in the Tunnel. Center hours will be posted soon.
