Harckham Announces $200,000 in Funding for Pace University to Build a Student Veterans Center

Senator Pete Harckham has announced that he has secured $200,000 in funding for Pace University to help build a Student Veterans Center within the Kessel Student Center on the Pleasantville campus.

Pace University, which has hundreds of student veterans and dependents across its campuses, including 60 in Westchester, has an Office of Veterans Services dedicated to helping students with their veteran and educational benefits. The center will serve as a one-stop resource center for student veterans and their dependents that will offer a central location on campus to connect, socialize and utilize resources provided by Pace University.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, that anything we can do to make their lives easier, once they return, is a top priority for me,” said Harckham. “The funding I’ve secured for Pace University will give these courageous young men and women their own gathering place on campus, where they can obtain the benefit information they need, to help them complete their studies and, network with friends and other vets.”

Construction on the new Student Veterans Center will begin this winter with an expected completion in Spring 2020. Once completed, veterans will be able to obtain information, at the Student Veterans Center, on how to work with, and navigate, the VA, as well as the various educational benefits student veterans are entitled to including the Forever GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program and Vocational Rehab.

“Pace has a proud tradition of supporting veterans and their family members,” said Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University. “Thanks to Senator Harckham, we will have our first space in Westchester dedicated exclusively to meeting their needs. From our Career Services team, who are trained on how to translate military service into resumes for the job market, to our introduction to university life dedicated to veterans, at Pace we know that when you have served our country, we have to go above and beyond to serve you.”

COL (Ret) Peter Riley, Director of Veterans Services at Pace University, said, “Veterans have unique needs, backgrounds and contributions that they bring to campus. It’s important that they have a place to congregate, socialize and share their stories, challenges and experiences. This Student Veterans Center on Pace University’s Pleasantville campus will provide them with just that – a safe and welcoming place that they need and deserve. We’re grateful to Senator Harckham for making this center a reality.” 

Alun R. Gilpin, U.S. Navy veteran from Palm Beach, Florida who has been stationed in Thailand, Japan, and in Maryland, Virginia and California, praised the efforts of all involved and welcomed the addition of the veteran’s center.

“So many of us who have served in the military appreciate having like-minded people to connect with,” said Gilpin, a junior at Pace University who is studying Arts and Entertainment Management. “Very often we are older and have different experiences and needs than traditional students. This Student Veterans Center will serve as a safe zone for us to build community, have important conversations, and succeed here at Pace, and after we graduate.”