Marshall University now has a dedicated study and common space for student veterans. The Enterprise Holdings Foundation Military and Veterans Affairs Lounge, which was unveiled on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, features hardwood floors, seating, TVs, a kitchen, conference room and computer lab with free printing.
Kim White, a U.S. Navy veteran, award-winning social worker at Marshall and keynote speaker at the university’s Veterans Day celebration, said work began on the lounge after Enterprise approached the university with a proposition to help veterans.
Raymond Washington, Enterprise area rental manager, said the company’s founder, Jack Taylor, flew fighter jets in WWII on the U.S.S. Enterprise and applied the military values to his business.
“Giving back to the community is something that’s very important to our company,” Washington said. “This was a home run for us, the opportunity to give back to the university and to the veteran population at Marshall University.”
White, former interim director of Military and Veterans Affairs at Marshall, said the space serves as a means to show service men and women that they are valued members of the university community.
“You are sons and daughters of Marshall. You are part of this family,” White said. “We acknowledge the many contributions you make to the classroom, to the campus and in our community.”
“I want to express to you that you have earned the right to be thanked today by the American people, and more specifically by this university,” Marshall President Jerome Gilbert said. “We are grateful for your service to our country and our people.”
Gilbert said $100,000 in donations to Marshall and the lounge earned Enterprise Holdings Foundation a place as a member in the President’s Circle.
For more information about Military and Veterans Affairs at Marshall, visit www.marshall.edu/military.
