Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools庐 designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 3,200 companies participated in the Military Friendly庐 survey. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Military Friendly庐, in consultation with the Military Friendly庐 Advisory Council, a group of independent leaders in the military community.

Final ratings were determined by combining an organization鈥檚 survey score, public data, and an assessment of the institution鈥檚 ability to meet and exceed thresholds for student recruitment, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, career placement, and support services for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.

鈥淓arning the Military Friendly庐 designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution鈥檚 deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served. These schools don鈥檛 just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of memberships for Military Friendly庐.

Elon will be showcased in the 2026-2027 Guide to in the April issue of and on . The data-driven Military Friendly庐 lists and methodology can be found at

Recognition Ceremony
The event featured a brief introduction from Jim Piatt, senior vice president for advancement and external affairs, followed by comments from Raymond Fletcher and Sean Giovanello.

Fletcher, who serves as Elon鈥檚 senior director for facilities management, is a Navy veteran and cofounder of the Veterans ERG.

鈥淵ou will be placed in positions of leadership that you might not feel ready for, but just rest assured the training you have had and will receive will absolutely prepare you for your next opportunity,” Fletcher said. 鈥淩emember your greatest successes will not be because of your talent alone, but because of the team that you will lead and that you will nurture.鈥�

Giovanello, associate professor of political science and international studies, serves as the ROTC program coordinator.

鈥淚t’s been great to watch you grow this year, even as you were beginning the year knowing it was going to be a year of big change as you moved into your careers in the Army and Air Force after graduation,’ said Giovanello.

Prior to the reception at Elon, Ezeji-Miles was commissioned at a ceremony at High Point as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and Edwards was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army at a ceremony at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T).

福利亚洲国产精品 the Graduates

The ceremony bookends a serendipitous friendship between the two graduating seniors. Ezeji-Miles and Edwards first met in Elon 1010, Elon鈥檚 signature first-year experience course. During the past four years, both participated in ROTC trainings and courses at N.C. A&T.

After graduation, Edwards will train at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he will participate in a 12-week basic officers leadership course. He says this next step will prepare him to oversee people and he looks forward to being part of something bigger.

鈥淚 will get to make an impact on people鈥檚 lives: people who will need to trust me and I will get to trust them,鈥� said Edwards. 鈥淎s part of this next step, I get to be the one that instills that motto to lower-ranking soldiers.鈥�

Edwards came to Elon from Charlotte and, for this next phase, will remain in his home state. Ezeji-Miles, who joined Elon from Wilmington, North Carolina, will train at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, Mississippi. There, he will spend the next 97 days training in either 17 Delta, which focuses on managing people and managing networks, or 17 Sierra, which focuses on offensive hacking and defense.

Ezeji-Miles said that he has been interested in enlisting in the military since he was in middle school. He was drawn by the opportunity to make an impact and, around the same time, he also realized he was skilled at computer work.

鈥淲hen I got to college and started doing ROTC, my perspective changed,鈥� said Ezeji-Miles. 鈥淚nstead of looking at these goals as 鈥業鈥檓 doing computer work in the Air Force,鈥� these four years have shown me how much impact I really can have joining the Air Force.鈥�

That impact, he said, will be defending people against cyber threats. He said that his coursework at Elon has prepared him for this career and better suited him for writing code, learning network and cyber security and developing skills in gaming.

Edwards would be interested in supporting the civilian work of the military. He said he has always been fascinated with conservation and working with marine animals. In January, he traveled to Panama for a biology trip and, the year before, he studied humpback whales in Hawaii.

鈥淚鈥檓 just incredibly proud of Izaiah and Drew,鈥� said Giovanello prior to the event. 鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful for the opportunity to get to know them and see a little bit into a window and see how mature, responsible and capable they were as college students. The U.S. Military is really lucky to get two good young men like this.鈥�

鈥淎fter my first assignment in the Field Artillery in Germany in the early 1980s, I knew I had made the right career choice,鈥� he said.

Hite鈥檚 academic path at 福利亚洲国产精品 played a pivotal role in preparing him for the challenges he would face in his military career. Pursuing a degree in political science, Hite immersed himself in the study of global social structures, governance and cultural dynamics. He recognizes that the skills and knowledge he gained during his time at Elon continue to influence his work today.

鈥淭he skills, knowledge, and ability you gain from an Elon education touches basically every aspect of your life,鈥� said Hite. 鈥淪pecifically, today, I work in the Department of the Army Civilian (DAC) on the Army resourcing staff in the Pentagon, so the skills acquired in accounting, math, economics and business classes that I took at Elon are still impacting me in a positive way 40 plus years later.鈥�

Hite鈥檚 military career, now spanning more than three decades, has been far from easy. As part of the Army resourcing staff at the Pentagon, he plays a crucial role in ensuring that military personnel have the resources they need to complete their missions, from ammunition to medical supplies. The stakes are high, and Hite understands the importance of getting it right.

鈥淭he best part of working on the resourcing staff is when we get it right, the young men and women selflessly serving have exactly what they need to perform their mission in our Nation鈥檚 defense,” he said. “That鈥檚 a very rewarding feeling.”

Although, it wasn鈥檛 just his academic achievements that helped Hite succeed; his time at Elon also provided him with lessons that continued to shape his approach to leadership. A member of both the 1978 football team and the 1979-80 basketball team, Hite credits his coaches, Jerry Tolley and Bill Morningstar, with teaching him not only the fundamentals of the game but also valuable life skills.

鈥淭hey were not only excellent coaches in terms of Xs and Os, but truly great life coaches that taught discipline, teamwork, effort and attention to detail,” he said. “I鈥檓 extremely grateful for the positive impact they had on my life.”

Beyond the lessons learned in the classroom and on the field, Hite also formed enduring friendships that have stood the test of time.

鈥淚n my experience, it is the overseas assignments, especially combat deployments, where you make the most lasting and meaningful relationships and friendships,鈥� said Hite. 鈥淢uch like Elon, these are friendships and memories that last a lifetime. And just like Elon reunions, you鈥檒l run into people you haven鈥檛 seen in years, but the familiarity and friendship come rushing back as if you had never been apart. It鈥檚 a wonderful experience each time it happens.鈥�

Hite鈥檚 connection to 福利亚洲国产精品 has remained strong over the years, especially now that his grandson, Dillon Pardue ’27, is continuing the family legacy as a pre-med student and football player at Elon.

鈥淭oday, my grandson is at Elon with a 4.0 GPA, much better than me and is in his third year as an Elon football player which is much better than me,” Hite said with a chuckle. 鈥淚 am very proud of the young adult Dillon has become, and Elon has been an integral part of it.鈥�

Hite reflects on his journey and urges those considering a military career to thoughtfully assess what it takes to thrive in this path. He remembers beginning his military involvement through an ROTC scholarship at Elon, which he highlights as an excellent opportunity to engage with the community while also funding his education.

鈥淚t has to be something you want to do,鈥� he advised. 鈥淚t requires physical and medical qualifications, a willingness to move every two to four years and buy-in from your family or significant other. Once you鈥檝e answered yes to those four questions, I鈥檇 say definitely consider it.鈥�

He also points out the benefits, such as the adventure of living in different countries, competitive pay and the unique opportunity for a 20-year retirement, which you likely won鈥檛 find in the private sector. Above all, he emphasizes the pride that comes with serving one鈥檚 country.

鈥淪erving your country in the armed forces is an incredibly rewarding experience, and something I鈥檝e always taken a lot of pride in,鈥� says Hite.

For Hite, his time at Elon laid the foundation for a successful career in the U.S. Army, culminating in his current role at the Pentagon. The lessons he learned, both inside and outside the classroom, continue to resonate with him, and he credits the university for shaping his life in ways that are still impacting him decades later.

鈥淭he growing concern I have is that the military is growing further and further away from the American people,鈥� said Mullen. 鈥淚 worried a great deal during the wars that, after the wars, the American people would forget and, by and large, I don鈥檛 think the American people have forgotten.鈥�

Lives of purpose

Mullen delivered the inaugural Carol Ann Walker International Lecture, part of the Elon Lecture Series. The lectureship was created through a gift from Walker鈥檚 late husband, Rear Admiral Edward K. 鈥淭ed鈥� Walker Jr. 聽Walker鈥檚 goal for the lectureship was to ensure that Elon students develop a better understanding of the scope of the world and the place of the U.S. in that world. Invited speakers have senior military or government experience with geopolitical responsibilities.

Walker was a loyal and generous supporter of Elon for more than 45 years as the parents and grandparents of several Elon graduates: Wendy Walker 鈥�78 and Lynn Streett 鈥�79, and their grandson, David Streett 鈥�06. Carol Ann passed away in 2002, while Ted passed away in 2021.

The Carol Ann Walker International Lecture was one of several 福利亚洲国产精品 Veterans Day events, including a flag raising by Air Force ROTC members and a special College Coffee on Medallion Plaza.

鈥淕athering as a community on Veterans Day allows us to honor the courage, the service and the sacrifices of those who have served our country,鈥� said President Connie Ledoux Book in her welcome to the audience in McCrary Theatre. 鈥淎t Elon, we are deeply committed to the values that align with the spirit of Veterans Day. We believe in empowering students to engage meaningfully, lead lives of purpose and to understand their roles within a broader world.鈥�

Professor of Management and former Air Force pilot Matt Valle recognized veterans and their families in the audience before introducing Mullen, who served as the chairman of the Joint chiefs of staff for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2007-11.

Mullen currently serves as president of MGM Consulting, LLC, based in Annapolis, Maryland. MGM Consulting provides counsel to global clients on issues related to geo-political developments, national security interests and strategic leadership.

A difficult transition

In his lecture, Mullen highlighted the struggles faced by active-duty military members once they leave service, including employment, education, health care and housing. He advised that active outreach is key to helping active-duty military transition out and that, specifically, he is focused on the E-5 and E-6 enlisted ranks.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the core of who we are, that鈥檚 the core of what makes us great as a military. Any officer worth their salt would tell you that,鈥� said Mullen, who also noted that military families are affected too. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 understand how difficult transition is out of the military.鈥�

While serving as chairman of the Joint chiefs of staff, Mullen accelerated the deployment of innovative technologies, advocated for emerging and enduring global partnerships, and introduced new methods for countering terrorism which ultimately led to the killing of Osama bin Laden 鈥� something he spoke about during the question-and-answer portion following the lecture.

鈥淚t was an extraordinary operation. We鈥檇 been hunting the guy for 10 years. I give the president, Obama, a lot of credit because we didn鈥檛 have a smoking gun, we didn鈥檛 know if he was there,鈥� said Mullen, who said that if the operation failed, it would have cost Obama his presidency.

Bringing America together

The presidency was on many minds Monday 鈥� less than a week since voters chose Donald Trump to be the next president of the United States. Mullen noted that the country is not unified right now, and it will take leaders 鈥渇rom every sector鈥� to bring people together.

鈥淔rom a macro standpoint, I would like to see (Trump) take America forward and bring it together,鈥� said Mullen. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 hard, at least, I think it鈥檚 going to be challenging because his rhetoric certainly hasn鈥檛 been that way. But that would be my hope.鈥�

In closing his lecture, Mullen offered serious warnings about the current geo-political climate with the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with the tension between China and Taiwan.

鈥淭his is the most dangerous time since 1962 when I was in high school; we went through the Cuban Missile Crisis, which means we have to pay a lot of attention, and our leaders have to pay a lot of attention. We as American citizens have to engage (our elected officials) to help them get to the right answers,鈥� Mullen said.

After the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Mullen said he realized how fragile democracy can be and urged the audience not to take it for granted.

鈥淚 worry greatly that (democracy) is changing before our eyes in ways that are sometimes difficult to really pin down and that it won鈥檛 be what it鈥檚 been for my kids and my grandkids as we move forward,鈥� said Mullen.

But Mullen鈥檚 insights were not all doom and gloom as he joked that people often ask: 鈥淕ot anything good to say?鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 an extraordinarily challenging time. I have great faith in the American people,鈥� said Mullen. 鈥淚 watch these young ones fight these wars, and I got to tell you, they鈥檙e going to change the world they are extraordinary young people who want to make a difference.”

Brundidge was branched as an infantry officer candidate upon completion of the ROTC program at 福利亚洲国产精品 and completed the Infantry Officer Basic course prior to assuming his current duties. As an infantry platoon leader, Patrick is responsible for the wellness and tactical employment of 40 infantrymen during company operations. He is directly responsible for the upkeep and employment of over $20 million worth of equipment including four Infantry Carrying Vehicles (Strykers).

As a project management major at 福利亚洲国产精品, Brundidge completed the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification offered by the Project Management Institute as part of his BSBA program (CAPM Requirement in the BSBA Project Management major).

Brundidge completed the PMP certification process while working full-time and leading 40 soldiers. This certification marks another milestone in his continued professional development.

Whitley Auditorium hosted ceremonies for both branches of the service, with cadets from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, High Point University and N.C. A&T State University joining cadets from Elon for the U.S. Air Force ROTC commissioning ceremony. Claire McGrath, Arran Ponte and Lauren Singles were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and Robert Dalton, Jillian Engels and Isabella Piccirilli were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

With friends and family looking on, these six new Elon graduates took the oath of office, had their ranks pinned on their uniforms and received their first salutes as newly commissioned officers.

At the Air Force commissioning ceremony, Elon alumna and U.S. Air Force Major Ashton Ross advised the new officers to take seriously their obligation to take care of those who serve under them. That doesn’t mean never making a mistake, said Ross, who is the聽J1 branch chief, Military Readiness at the National GeoSpatial-Intelligence Agency in Springfield, Virginia.

“When you make some mistakes along the way, I made them before you did and other people will make mistakes after you,” Ross said during the morning ceremony in Whitley. “It doesn鈥檛 matter that you make mistakes. It鈥檚 what you do after.”

Speaking to the three new second lieutenants from Elon on Thursday afternoon, Lt. Col. Debra Graham shared a range of advice from her time in the U.S. Army. She urged them to be good communicators, develop meaningful relationships and think strategically. “We want to know what can you do,” said Graham, who serves as the commander of 5th Battalion, Army Reserve Careers Group. “We want to know that you can think through the process. I know you can. Don鈥檛 be afraid to step outside the box and challenge the system.”

Claire McGrath received her bachelor’s聽degree in biochemistry. During the past four years, McGrath conducted research in the Chemistry Department, worked at the Truitt Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, and served in various positions in Air Force ROTC.

McGrath was commissioned into the Air Force as a force support officer and will begin her service at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. She plans to eventually continue her education by seeking a master’s degree in environmental chemistry.

Arran Ponte聽received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science. While attending Elon, Ponte worked as a house manager and tour guide. She is a member of Alpha Xi Delta and dances on Elon’s Finest.

Through ROTC, Ponte completed Field Training in 2021 at Camp Shelby where she was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate. Last summer Arran spent 80 hours shadowing at Pope Field’s Medical Clinic within Fort Bragg; and in the Fall Semester of 2022, she held the role of Cadet Wing Commander for her detachment. Lastly, Ponte attended the 2023 Air Force National Character and Leadership Symposium聽at the Air聽Force Academy to discuss and collaborate around the topic “Reimagine Leadership, Inspire Teamwork.”

Ponte was commissioned into the Air Force as an aerospace physiologist to train and equip聽aircrews for the physiological聽aspects of flight. She earned the 2023 Distinguished聽Graduate for Detachment 605 for being within the top 10 percent of cadets across the entire Air Force ROTC enterprise.聽Ponte begins her time in the Air Force this June at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.

Lauren Singles聽received bachelor’s degrees in political science and international and global studies, and minored in German Studies and Middle East Studies. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and German Honor Society.

Singles completed Project Global Officer during two consecutive summers in a row, first studying Arabic at Virginia Military Institute and next studying at the Arabic Language Institute in Fes, Morocco. She was a Distinguished Graduate at Field Training and was named a National Distinguished Graduate for being in the top 10 percent of all graduating cadets in the country.

Singles begins her time in the Air Force at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma in Undergraduate Pilot Training.聽Singles will enter the Air Force鈥檚 LEAP program for Arabic and plans to continue her study of Arabic throughout her career.

Robert Dalton achieved the rank of CDT sergeant major, serving as the Aggie Battalion operations sergeant major. As a student at Elon, Dalton was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Dalton received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in sport management. Dalton branched Adjunct General and will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

Jillian Engels聽achieved the rank of CDT captain, serving as the Alpha Company commander. As a student at Elon, Engels was a member of the New Student Orientation organization, the sisterhood of Sigma Sigma Sigma and the Club Gymnastics team.

Engels received her bachelor’s degree in economics with minors in Asian studies and business administration. She聽is branched Transportation and will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Gregg-Adams in Virginia.

Isabella Piccirilli聽achieved the rank of CDT lieutenant colonel, serving as the battalion commander. As a student at Elon, Piccirilli was a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honorary Society, was a student faculty member for DanceWorks, a club on campus, and has performed in many of the mainstage performing arts concerts at Elon.

Piccirilli received a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance performance & choreography as well as a bachelor of arts degree in political science. She is recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Piccirilli is branched aviation and will attend Basic Officer Leadership Course and flight school at Fort Novosel in Alabama.

The Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program that prepares college students to become officers in the United States military and is offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide.

福利亚洲国产精品 offers its ROTC program through a cooperative agreement with N.C. A&T University, whose Department of Aerospace Studies & Military Science offers ROTC paths for both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force.

This year, three Elon women students – Arran Ponte ’23, Isabella Piccirilli ’23 and Claire McGrath ’23 – hold top leadership positions in both the Air Force ROTC Detachment 605 and the Army ROTC Aggie Battalion, a stark contrast from past years.

鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting because during my freshman year, it would usually only be one role held by a woman. But this year, it鈥檚 all three of us in order, and it definitely isn鈥檛 always like that,鈥� says McGrath, who is the Cadet Wing Commander of Detachment 605.

Compared to other schools in the local detachment such as Wake Forest University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Elon usually has a higher number of women.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 good for us to break the glass ceiling. I feel like the women I looked up to when I first started the program were the ones I self-identified with more, so I鈥檓 really hoping I can take on that role for someone else,鈥� Ponte says, who serves as Detachment聽605 Air Force ROTC Cadet Wing Commander.

McGrath, Ponte and Piccirilli have all expressed their gratitude for all the various opportunities that the ROTC program has provided for them. McGrath took a Japanese class called 鈥淧roject GO (Global Officer)鈥� and plans to travel abroad at some point to either Japan or Germany. Ponte currently has a position lined up as an aerospace physiologist with plans to apply to physician assistant school, while Piccirilli is waiting to be approved to begin training for a helicopter pilot position, specifically as a Black Hawk pilot.

鈥淚鈥檝e always loved school and learning new things because I鈥檇 say I鈥檓 a very routine type of person. But I鈥檓 excited to finish my major and start learning something completely different,鈥� says Piccirilli, Army ROTC Battalion Cadet Commander.

Piccirilli is currently a dance and political science double major. In terms of her new leadership position, she鈥檚 excited to implement change for underclassmen.

鈥淲hen I was an underclassman, I saw a few areas I wanted to improve. It wouldn鈥檛 be fun when things would happen so last minute, and although you can鈥檛 avoid that, there are ways to minimize it,鈥� Piccirilli says. 鈥淚 like being able to push out information the way I want people to receive it so it鈥檚 not so overbearing.鈥�

Since Ponte and McGrath work together as commander and vice commander of the Air Force Cadet Wing, they鈥檝e managed to establish a good working relationship.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 originally want to hold a leadership position because I鈥檓 a busy person, and I knew this would be a really important job where everyone would always be looking to me,鈥� Ponte says. 鈥淏ut one day, my commanding officer pulled me aside and asked why I was getting in my own way and that鈥檚 when things changed.鈥�

When speaking of their relationship, McGrath said she and Ponte “have a lot of trust with each other, which is so important. We can back each other up in an honest way. It鈥檚 nice to work with a close friend.鈥�

With three female cadets holding high-ranking positions at Detachment 605 and Aggie Battalion, their work in cultivating the new generations of ROTC students will be recognized for years to come.

Six Elon seniors took the oath of office and were commissioned into the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army leading up to their graduation from the university as members of the Class of 2022.

Stephen Haley and Theodore Thomas were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force during a joint ceremony held on Friday, May 13, at High Point University.聽 Richard Bright,聽 Patrick Brundidge Jr. Victoria Sardegna and Austin Stillman were celebrated in the presence of family, friends and supporters during the commissioning ceremony held Thursday, May 19, in Holt Chapel on Elon’s South Campus.

鈥婨lon offers its ROTC program through a cooperative agreement聽with N.C. A&T State University and Lt. Col. Linda S. Wynn, a professor of military science at N.C. A&T, noted in her welcoming remarks during the Holt Chapel ceremony that commissioning is a time-honored tradition and rite of passage from ROTC cadet to military officer. “They are not your average college students,” Winn said of the cadets. “They have already exhibited their leadership capabilities. They are intelligent officers. They have persevered.”

The聽commissioning ceremony is the culmination of four years of training and marks the beginning of聽military service for each.聽In taking the oath of office, each swore to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.聽Each newly commissioned officer becomes an agent of the executive branch of the government, appointed by the president based on the secretary of defense鈥檚 signed officer nomination scroll for appointment of each candidate which has also been approved by the U.S. Senate.

Offering words of wisdom to the four cadets as they prepare to begin their military careers was alumnus Lt. Col. John Kirchgessner, who was commissioned into the U.S. Army’s Air Defense Artillery following his graduation from Elon in 2002. With a career that includes deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Kirchgessner currently serves as the Air Defense Branch Chief under the Officer Personnel Management Division at Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

“I am eager to see your continued growth,” Kirchgessner told the cadets. “What you are about to embark on is incredibly challenging, if you’re doing it right.”

2nd Lt. Richard Bright graduates from Elon with a bachelor’s degree in finance. At the commissioning ceremony, he was pinned by his mother, Cinda Bright, and his brother, Jonathan Bright, and received his first salute from Master Sgt. Brian Boyt. He is will serve in the ordnance branch and will be attending Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Lee, Virginia.

2nd Lt. Patrick Brundidge Jr. graduates from Elon with a bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus on project management and was named a distinguished military graduate. He was pinned by his parents, retired Lt. Col. Patrick and Ursula Brundidge, and received his first salute from retired Sgt. William Rivera. He will serve in the infantry branch and will attend the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.

2nd Lt. Victoria Sardegna graduates from Elon with a bachelor’s degree in international and global studies. She was pinned by her parents, Rob and Maria Sardegna, and received her first salute from Master Sgt. Brian Boyt. She will serve in the military intelligence branch and will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

2nd Lt. Austin Stillman graduates from Elon with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She was pinned by his parents, Bradford and Christa Stillman, and received his first salute from Master Sgt. Brian Boyt. He will serve in the medical services branch and will attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, before attending flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, en route to becoming a MEDEVAC pilot.

鈥淚t is critical that we take a moment to pause and reflect on the many veterans who make it possible for us to live a free life here in America,鈥� President Connie Ledoux Book said during the ceremony. 鈥淲e commemorate and recognize their service today here at Elon.鈥�

Book acknowledged all veterans at attendance for the ceremony, including Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Education Mary Kay Hannah, U.S. Army veteran, Professor of Management Matt Valle, U.S. Air Force veteran and cadets from the Elon and North Carolina A&T ROTC color guard which presented the United States flag.

鈥淚鈥檝e always thought that America provides its greatest resource to protect its Constitution, and that is our young people,鈥� Book said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful that Elon is taking a moment to recognize the important freedoms that we all have, the values we all share and the work of our veterans and upcoming officers in making that possible.鈥�

The ceremony was organized by Hannah, who began her military career in the ROTC after which she was commissioned as a Military Police officer before ultimately reclassing to the Army Medical Specialist Corps to become a physical therapist. Hannah served at Walter Reed Army Medical Center treating war causalities. She then served as assistant chief of PT at Fort Bragg in North Carolina where she deployed with the 4th Brigade 82nd Airborne Division for 15 months.

鈥淚 am humbled today to have been invited to help honor those who have served in the profession of arms,鈥� Hannah said.

Only 1.4 million Americans are serving on active duty at any given time, which represents 0.4 percent of America鈥檚 population. Of all living people, there are 19 million veterans, according to Pew Research Center. Hannah said there are as many reasons to join as there as service members. 鈥淏ut once joined, everyone wears the same uniform on the outside and everyone is a patriot on the inside,鈥� Hannah said.

鈥淲e all do a job that I think everyone appreciates,鈥� she added. 鈥淲e all raise our hand and swear an oath to the Constitution and to our brothers and sisters. We work together on the greatest collective mission 鈥� 鈥榯o support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same.鈥欌��

Duncan MacLeod, an Elon senior and U.S. Marines reservist, spoke following the flag-raising ceremony to dispel a few myths about veterans. Those myths being that some people think veterans are crazy, they are tough to understand and they are invincible.鈥�

But the truth is, MacLeod said, veterans are regular people. MacLeod said it is tactless to think that just because someone is a veteran, they do not have good days and bad days.

鈥淥ur bad days are no different than your bad days. Perhaps they take different forms. Perhaps they stem from different places. But just like you, we have struggles and we face challenges in our lives,鈥� MacLeod said. 鈥淭herefore, it’s important that we all be compassionate when it comes to dealing with those struggles. Even if you do not understand, that does not mean you cannot be understanding.鈥�

University Chaplain Kirstin Boswell gave the closing remarks at the ceremony and gave thanks to those who have put their own lives on hold to reach for the good of the collective.

鈥淭his morning, we lift our hearts and minds in praise of those who unselfishly leave behind loved ones, father and mothers, brothers and sisters, children and beloved partners in order to carry on the dreams and ideals of an imperfect nation,鈥� Boswell said.

Thursday, November 11 at 9:45 a.m., Elon will hold a brief flag-raising ceremony in observance of Veterans Day at the flag pole on Scott Plaza.

Cadets from both Elon and North Carolina A&T Army and Air Force ROTC programs will present and raise the flag. Elon President Connie Ledoux Book and Mary Kay Hannah, assistant professor of Physical Therapy and U.S. Army veteran, will speak and University Chaplain Kirstin Boswell will provide closing remarks.

Elon was recognized as 2021-22 Military Friendly School by the national organization which measures “an organization’s聽commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.”

Each school was selected on based on assessment of “ability to meet specific criteria in the areas of聽student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.” Elon’s full ratings can be found on the .

Veterans Day became a nationally observed holiday in 1938, and was first celebrated as “Armistice Day” in 1919 honoring the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day or the eleventh month” which was the end of World War I.