Academics After Employment – New Center Opens To Help Returning Vets

Public Invited to Grand Opening Celebration and Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal Ceremony at Middlesex Community College.

State and local dignitaries join Dr. Jonathan M. Daube, president of Middlesex Community College, at the grand opening celebration of the new OASIS Center for veterans returning to college after deployment. The event, which will include a Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal ceremony, will be held in the College’s Chapman Hall on Wednesday, November 17 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Honored guests and speakers include Veterans Commissioner Linda Schwartz, and Gloria Hutchinson, president of the General Federation of the Women’s Clubs of Connecticut, one of the major community partners and supporters of this project.

The event will include the raising of a U.S. flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Veterans’ Day (donated by U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro). The US Marine Corps 6th Motor Transportation Battalion Color Guard (New Haven) will serve as ceremonial escorts.

A proclamation by Middletown Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano will be presented declaring November 17 to be observed and celebrated as the dedication and opening of the MxCC Veterans’ OASIS Center Day.

“The population of deployed veterans is growing throughout our region and these men and women should be celebrated and honored as they adjust back to civilian life, and certainly to campus life,” Dr. Daube explained. “The OASIS Center helps address those challenges and meet the specific needs of the veteran. We are proud to be part of this state-wide initiative and to have this service available right on our campus.”

About OASIS
The OASIS Center stands for “Operation Academic Support for Incoming Servicemembers” and was developed by the State of Connecticut Veterans’ Project for Public Colleges and Universities. Each center provides a welcoming location where veterans can meet, socialize, study, and support each other. The center is also a resource for important information on state and federal veteran benefits programs.

The OASIS Center is a collaborative effort of the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Higher Education, the Connecticut Department of Labor, the Chancellor of the State of Connecticut University System, the Chancellor of the Connecticut Community/Technical Colleges and the President of the University of Connecticut. The OASIS Center project is also supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the U.S. Department of Labor, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Connecticut, the Connecticut Business and Professional Women, and the AAUW (American Association of University Women) in Danbury, Conn.

About Middlesex Community College
Founded in 1966 as a branch campus of Manchester Community College, Middlesex Community College is an independent member of the Connecticut Community College System. The school offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs on its three locations: the main, 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center campus, and the shoreline campus in Old Saybrook. The college promotes understanding, learning, ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking. Current enrollment exceeds 2,950 full and part-time students, and 1,600 continuing education students.