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East Tennessee State University senior Kenton Rowe chose to serve his country, enlisting in the Tennessee Army National Guard in 2020. 

Now a platoon leader shadowing officers in his unit, Rowe is deeply grateful for the support he has received at ETSU.

“The Military and Veteran Services at ETSU has helped me tremendously by navigating my different benefits. They also provided me a work-study position when I first arrived at ETSU to help me earn a little extra money,” said Rowe. “The staff has always been friendly and have given me advice for my military career.”

For fellow senior Alexis Calain, staff have been equally helpful.

Calain is the child of a 20-year Navy veteran.

“The Veterans Affairs staff has been very helpful in ensuring all of the questions I have about the benefits I am receiving are answered in a timely manner,” said Calain. “They see us military- affiliated students as more than a number, and they really do want to know us as individuals. This makes asking for advice or assistance with anything incredibly easy.”

Such experiences have helped ETSU secure the prestigious Military Friendly® School designation for the 14th consecutive year. It is a major honor that institutions earn through public data analysis and responses from surveys. 

ETSU earned a silver status, the second-highest designation available.

The university takes considerable steps to aid those who served in uniform, providing priority registration for classes each semester, exclusive access to social and study space at ETSU’s Military-Affiliated Student Resource Center, membership in the ETSU chapter of the Student Veterans of America and consistent personalized support from Military and Veteran Services.

Out-of-state tuition waivers, scholarships and work-study positions for those using the GI Bill® benefits are all financial-related options.

“ETSU has a long and established history of assisting those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Dan Bishop, director of Military and Veteran Services. “But we aren’t complacent. There is an incredible tradition at this university of generating servant leaders, and we want that to continue.” 

For assistance, visit Military and Veteran Services or contact va@etsu.edu or (423) 439-6819.