WEST LIBERTY W.Va., November 14, 2023– West Liberty University celebrated Veterans Day on Friday, November 10 with a Recognition Ceremony and a luncheon. Lisa McGee, a Graduate Assistant in the Center for Arts & Education, was the driving force behind the creation of the new subcommittee of the Diversity Committee. The new subcommittee will represent itself as the Veterans Programming Committee. The members of the Veterans Day Committee included: Kate Billings, Michelle Filberto, Karen Gerardi, Jason Metz, Lisa McGee, and Marcella Snyder. The creation of the committee was founded to increase relations and bridge gaps within the local and campus community, with hopes to continue and grow these events in the future to honor our Veterans.
The Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony started with a complimentary luncheon hosted in the West Liberty University Bear’s Den, inviting Veterans, staff, and faculty to join in on the special day. Lou Karas and the Center for Arts & Education included local elementary students who created Veteran’s Day placemats for the Bear’s Den Luncheon.
“It is an honor to be a part of the new Veteran’s Programming Committee, as it proves to be an opportunity to connect our Veterans with West Liberty University and its surrounding local community. As a committee, we are aspiring to grow and expand the Veterans Programming in the upcoming years to provide valuable opportunities for faculty, students, and our sacred Veterans”, said Kate Billings, Director of Student Activities
Following the Luncheon, the Recognition Ceremony commenced on the Quad, opened by a National Anthem rendition from the WLU Choral Scholars. President, Dr. Tim Borchers offered a warm welcome to our veterans, followed by the Choral Scholars performance of the Armed Forces Salute, a composition representing every military branch. The ceremony drew to a close following remarks from Graduate Assistant and Veteran, Lisa McGee, and concluded with a rendition of Taps played by student Morgan Charley on the trumpet.
West Liberty University is West Virginia’s oldest public university, and it offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and 12 graduate programs, both online and on campus. Learn more at westliberty.edu.