Husky Veteran Association
Less than a year ago, two student veterans formed the Husky Veteran Association (HVA) to serve the nearly 90 HBU students currently using veteran benefits. Approximately 40 served their country while the other half is comprised of veteran dependents and family members. When the fall term began, the Husky veterans charged forward. The association grew from 2 to 18 veterans, redefined the Husky tailgate experience, sold more than 250 t-shirts in their first official semester and hosted an Honor Walk on campus. Now they have a website HC.edu/HVA and are excited about the new Veteran Service Center above the Baugh Cafeteria.
Most of HBU’s student veterans are commuters who have families. Because of their drastically different life stages and experiences, student veterans have different needs than ‘typical’ undergraduate students. “We want to give student veterans a sense of community, and a voice and a place to call home,” said HBU senior Gino Manguino, vice president and co-founder of the Husky Veteran Association. The HVA has hopes of eventually implementing peer-to-peer counseling and recruiting more veterans for HBU. HVA President Chris Maust told The Pillars, “We are trying to get more veterans to come here, and we’re helping our veterans tie into the huge veteran community of Houston, with all of the resources and service opportunities.”
“We are particularly thankful for our student veterans and for their service to our nation,” said Eduardo Borges, staff advisor to the organization. “In the past year, this commitment has been reflected in the addition of a new veteran service center, enhanced services and support for our Husky Veterans. We are excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead.” –Dion Johnson, Sergeant , US Army
Houston Baptist University earned the 2017 Military Friendly® School designation in November of 2016.