Student veterans were in the spotlight during the UCSC Retirees Association Soup Social, held March 6 at the Arboretum. Twelve scholarships of $500 each were awarded to current UCSC students who have served in the US military.
About four years ago the Retirees Association renewed their fundraising efforts for a scholarship fund and selected student veterans as the recipient group for the scholarships.
Five Bruce C. Lane memorial scholarships were awarded, along with seven Silver Slug Scholarships.
The family of Bruce C. Lane -- a member of the campus staff from 1964 up to his retirement in 1991 -- joined up with other campus retirees to establish a scholarship in Lane's memory.
"Bruce benefited from the GI Bill following his stint in the US Army during World War II,” said Association president Nancy Pascal. "He was committed to helping other veterans pursue their academic dreams after their military service."
Lane's wife, Maxine, who presided at the March 6 award ceremony, also worked on campus for many years as Director of Contracts and Grants until her retirement.
UCSC's estimated 100 male and female veteran students are an essential part of the community fabric.
Many have served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Gulf War. UCSC has become an essential stepping-stone in these young veterans’ lives as they transition from military service into civilian life.
Veteran students receive priority housing and class enrollment at UCSC. They can also take advantage of the resources at the Veterans Education Team Support, a home base for vets that includes drop-in appointments, peer mentoring, academic advising, a newsletter and social events for UCSC's veterans. VETS is now entering its fourth year of serving UCSC students.
