New York VFW Announces Education Partnership with Excelsior College to Attract Younger Veterans to Post Membership Rolls

Veterans’ spouses are also eligible for reduced tuition under new education partnership

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 18, 2010)– The Department of  New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars has signed an education partnership agreement with Excelsior College, a nonprofit distance learning institution based in Albany, in a statewide effort to draw younger veterans and their spouses to the membership rolls of local VFW posts.

The New York initiative, which provides reduced tuition for veteran members and their spouses, builds on the national VFW’s goal of boosting membership among younger veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. All New York VFW members, regardless of when or where they served, are now eligible for the education partnership benefits, which were announced Friday, March 18, 2011 in Albany at the start of the New York VFW’s spring convention.

“A prime goal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is to bridge the gap with veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the men and women who are vital to the future of our organization,” said Jack Veazy, Commander of the New York VFW.  “We have taken a major step forward toward this goal by reaching out to New York veterans through an education partnership with a reputable, military-friendly college, which serves students nationwide. This agreement makes higher education accessible to veterans and their spouses.”

National Commander-in-Chief Richard Eubank joined state VFW leaders at the event on Friday to commend the statewide initiative.

Eubank said the New York VFW’s education initiative can serve as a model for other states seeking to reach younger veterans. Younger veteransare key to the VFW’s future because “10 to 20 years from now, this will be their organization,” he said.
Excelsior College President John F. Ebersole said, “We applaud the New York VFW for recognizing the role that high-quality education plays in the security and future of veterans and their families. We truly believe that this initiative will strengthen the VFW, contribute to veterans’ quality of life, and provide a model for future such partnerships. For Excelsior College, which has strong, longstanding educational connections with all branches of the military and veterans, this is an extremely exciting partnership.”

The VFW has a tradition of community service, advocacy and support for veterans and their families at the local level. At the national level, the VFW holds a leadership role in representing veterans nationwide, and advocates on a broad range of issues impacting veterans and military members of multiple generations, including those of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Excelsior College’s credentials include:

• Excelsior’s course, “Success Strategies for Military and Veterans” earned the 2010-2011 Innovation Award from the Center for Transforming Student Services (CENTSS). The course provides college orientation to veterans and military members and teaches transition strategies for those entering the civilian workforce after a military career.
• Excelsior’s military academic advising team includes veterans who are uniquely attuned to the unique needs of military students, veterans, and their spouses.
• Susan Dewan, executive director of Excelsior’s Center for Military Education is the recipient of the 2011 William E. Kennedy Award from the Council of College and Military Educators (CCME), which recognizes leadership in providing higher education programs to personnel at U.S. military installations.
• Excelsior President Ebersole is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served in Vietnam and received the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award in 2010 for his leadership in contributing to the Army’s educational mission.
• Excelsior College received the designation “Best for Vets” from Military Times Edge magazine.

About the New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars

The New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars, with 69,000 members statewide, lobbies local and national legislators extensively to maintain the benefits promised to those who serve our nation. The VFW insists that medical, educational and other benefits are maintained at current levels for our returning veterans.  In addition, the VFW promotes patriotism in the schools and through the community with a variety of programs.

About Excelsior College

Excelsior College is an accredited, nonprofit distance learning institution that focuses on removing obstacles to the educational goals of adult learners. Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, NY, Excelsior is a proven leader in the assessment and validation of student knowledge. It offers more efficient and affordable access to degree completion through multiple avenues: its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance in transfer of credit from other colleges and universities as well as recognized corporate and military training programs. Excelsior College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.