By Jeff Murphy,
October 2, 2015
WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Central Missouri’s Office of Military and Veteran
Services has announced the keynote speaker and names of panelists serving at the Veterans
Summit on campus Friday, Oct. 9, along with other opportunities available through
the Veterans Resource Fair and the Veterans Vision Project. With the exception of
the Veterans Vision Project, all activities take place in the Elliott Student Union,
and will focus on needs that are shared by military service members and veterans as
well as opportunities for participants to interact with businesses, service providers
and organizations dedicated to those who serve their country.
The Veterans Summit, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Union 240, begins with welcoming activities.
The keynote address at 8:45 a.m. is related to reintegration, refocus and resiliency
among veterans, and will be presented by Ron Pierce, senior director of the PBS Veteran
Initiative. Pierce currently serves on the PBS Station Services team, leading the
planning, coordination and implementation of PBS’ “Stories of Service” initiative
in support of veterans and military family members. This includes working closely
with member stations, CPB, NPR, and other public media partners, and veterans groups
across the country.
Pierce’s remarks will be followed by a panel discussion designed to empower individuals
to help themselves and others by providing them with knowledge about a number of issues,
and how to obtain assistance. Those attending will have an opportunity to interact
with experts and share their experiences during question and answer sessions at the
Veterans Summit, as well as during the Veterans Resource Fair, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in
Room 236-238. Approximately 40 resource vendors will host informational tables. Resource
vendors will provide information on a variety of topics to include personal security,
transition adjustment, mental and health care issues, domestic violence, employment,
financial, and sexual assault/trauma. Several veteran-friendly employers will host
informational tables and are seeking employees to fill positions.
Veterans Summit panelists include Doug Meyer, director, Veteran Services Program,
Missouri Veterans Commission; Yulonda Swanson-Moten, Kansas City Veterans Administration,
Family Counseling Services; Seth Kastle, an Army combat veteran, professor of leadership
studies at Fort Hays (Kan.) State University, and author of the book, “Why Is Dad
So Mad”; Jon Sabala, director, Veterans Services, Missouri Department of Mental Health;
Col. Gary Gilmore, chaplain, State Joint Services, Missouri National Guard; Devin
Mitchell, founder/photographer, Veteran Vision Project; Gregg Ganshaw, president/board
chair, Return With Purpose; John Schwent, executive director, Camp Valor Outdoors;
Charles Ambrose, president, UCM; Brig. Gen. Randy Alewel, Missouri National Guard,
and Todd Nicely, U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Also available throughout the day will be an exhibit of Devin Mitchell’s photographs
of veterans in the UCM Gallery of Art & Design. Mitchell will conduct VIP tours after
2 p.m. Through his photos, Mitchell shares the unique, double-sided visual stories
of men and women who have served in the military. Learn more about this photo initiative
at veteranvisionproject.com.
Visitor parking will be available at the west lot of the Multipurpose Building. UCM
will provide a small shuttle to transport individuals to and from the Multipurpose
Building lot to the Veterans Summit and Veterans Vision exhibit from 7 to 10:30 a.m.
and from noon to 2:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Nichols at 660-543-8977 or nichols@ucmo.edu. To learn
more about the Veteran Vision Exhibition, contact Christian Cutler, director of the
UCM Gallery of Art and Design,
at 660-543-4498 or cutler@ucmo.edu.
The following is a list of vendors for the Veterans Resource Fair:
Air Force ROTC DET 440 – University of Missouri
Airman & Family Readiness Center, Whiteman Air Force Base
American Legion Post 131– Warrensburg
American Legion Post 189 – Lee’s Summit
Camp Valor Outdoors
Catholic Charities
Central Missouri Police Academy
College of Health, Science, and Technology
Department of Work Force Development
Edward Jones
Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve
Harper Transport Services Inc.
Homes for Heroes
Kansas City Power and Light
Kansas City VA Medical Center
Kansas City Vet Center
Kastle Books
Manna Harvest
Military One Source
Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance
Missouri Valley Community Action Agency Support Services for Veteran Families
Missouri Veterans Commission
Missouri Veterans History Project
Office of the Secretary of State, Missouri Security Division
Office of U.S. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler
Office of U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill
Return With Purpose
Society of American Military Engineers Warriors Transition Team, KC Post
Student Military Combat Systems/UCM Student Veterans Organization
Team Red, White, and Blue
UCM Admissions
UCM Counseling Center
UCM Military and Veterans Services
U.S. Army
Veterans Education & Training – Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
West- Central Independent Living Solutions (WILS)
Whiteman AFB NAF Jobs
