For most Lipscomb students, college begins directly out of high school. But not for veterans April Herrington and Susannah Leonard, who joined the United States Air Force instead.
Air Force veterans and Yellow Ribbon participants Susannah Leonard (left) and April Herrington (right).
Now, Herrington and Leonard are pursuing their degrees at Lipscomb while helping the Campus Veterans Organization (CVO) grow and develop.
Herrington, senior accounting and finance major from Texas, says the CVO is like a social club for veterans.
“Having a group of people here who have gone through similar situations and have similar needs is what makes this organization important,” Herrington said.
The purpose and vision of the CVO is to provide a strong social and support network for veterans seeking higher education at Lipscomb.
All members are given the opportunity to achieve their educational and career goals, provide service to their community through volunteer work and gain easy access to information and benefits for their families and themselves.
There are around 95 veterans on campus, 20 percent of which are female.
When asked the question “Does Lipscomb cater to your needs?” David Hughes, the veterans liaison, walks into the office. Herrington laughs.
“Most definitely, that’s what David’s for!” Herrington said. “If we have any issues, he’s the one we go to.”
Leonard laughs and nods in agreement, “He’s our caterer.”
The CVO is a relatively new organization and has only been in existence at Lipscomb since fall of ’09. According to the veterans, it was a little bumpy in its development because the program was new for everyone.
Leonard, marketing major from Nashville, says that the CVO has just started developing past the infancy stage.
April Herrington in her U.S. Air Force uniform.
“We are just now getting a solid grasp on the benefits offered, the process, the amount of hours needed and the requirements,” Leonard said. “It’s just now starting to mature.”
Herrington said that the CVO is here to “make the process go faster.”
“We are the link between [Hughes] and the rest of the veterans at the school,” Herrington said.
The Yellow Ribbon Program is one of the main reasons vets are at Lipscomb. Yellow Ribbon pitches in to make sure tuition is covered for vets and their families.
The program has grown from around 30 to 75 scholars, and Herrington announced proudly that Leonard will be Lipscomb’s first Yellow Ribbon graduate.
“[Leonard] works, has an internship and still takes on a full load,” Herrington said.
Another reason vets prefer Lipscomb is because of the adult degree programs offered which give older, retired vets a classroom setting away from the typical college environment. For vets like Herrington who have full-time jobs, families and college to juggle, programs like these can be more fitting and help ease the transition back into civilian life.
Veteran Susannah Leonard in her uniform.
Herrington and Leonard want Lipscomb students to know this about veterans:
“We’re here and we’re just like everyone else.”