Mississippi National Guard Honors Ole Miss Chancellor

The medal honors the college’s dedication to supporting veterans, military-connected college students.

Maj. Gen. Trent Kelly just lately introduced College of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce with the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the best honor the Mississippi Nationwide Guard can bestow on a civilian.

Kelly introduced Boyce with the award on Nov. 18 throughout an Ole Miss soccer recreation on behalf of Mississippi Nationwide Guard Adjutant Basic Maj. Gen. Janson Boyles. Kelly additionally serves as Mississippi’s consultant for the primary congressional district.

“What I hope is that this award reveals the general public that the College of Mississippi cares deeply about our veterans and the challenges they face,” Boyce stated. “We’re dedicated to those college students, and we wish to do no matter we will to assist them launch their careers.

“On the finish of the day, we’ll by no means be capable to give again what they gave to us.”

The award honors those that have proven dedication and help to the Nationwide Guard. The college has been named a gold-level establishment by the Army Pleasant Advisory Council and was just lately promoted to being No. 1 within the SEC and No. 5 nationally within the annual “Greatest for Vets” rating from Army Instances.

“Whereas serving as Chancellor of the College of Mississippi, Dr. Boyce straight influenced personnel readiness by investing within the human capital of our service members and enabling increased training alternatives,” the award notification reads. “Dr. Boyce demonstrated utmost patriotism by serving those that serve by way of a free tuition program and making a nationally ranked military-friendly establishment of upper studying.”

Boyce has offered “top-down help” for veterans and army related college students since being appointed chancellor in 2019, stated Andrew Newby, the college’s head of veteran and army companies.

“The winds actually shifted when Chancellor Glenn Boyce got here on board,” Newby stated. “We’ve got been capable of do wonderful issues below his management as a result of we have now his help.”

Since 2019, the Workplace of Veteran and Army Providers has moved to its personal “one-stop-shop” on the George Avenue Home. This gives scholar veterans and military-connected college students with a spot to congregate, entry GI Invoice advantages, examine and obtain steering for making use of for scholarships and army switch credit.

In 2023, the workplace additionally added an in-house counselor who can meet college students the place they’re, Newby stated.

“I’m very happy with that facility, as a result of it will get a lot use,” Boyce stated. “We’ve got every little thing I feel we will to assist these college students achieve success in increased training. It’s not sufficient to say we’re accessible. We’ve got to be prepared to assist them get no matter they should succeed.”

The college has been named a gold-level establishment by the Army Pleasant Advisory Council and was just lately ranked No. 1 within the SEC and No. 5 nationally within the annual ‘Greatest for Vets’ rating from Army Instances. Photograph by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Providers

The college in 2021 instituted the Veteran Therapy Staff, which permits scholar veterans to hunt well being care on campus as a substitute of getting to drive hours to the closest VA clinic, Newby stated. This system saves military-connected college students many hours and cash for fuel and makes well being care extra accessible.

Boyce additionally improved scholarship help for Mississippi Nationwide Guard college students to assist get rid of tuition prices by way of the Mississippi Nationwide Guard Tuition Program, Newby stated.

“When he determined to zero out the balances of all Nationwide Guard college students within the state, that was a testomony to what we will do with top-down management and help,” Newby stated.

A part of what makes the Ole Miss scholar veteran expertise particular is that it’s led by different veterans, Boyce stated. Each workers member working within the George Avenue Home is a veteran or military-connected individual.

“The best way our army personnel come again and serve their fellow troopers is so particular,” Boyce stated. “Solely our troopers can have a deep appreciation of what a soldier goes by way of.

“In my 40 years of training, that is probably the most important award I’ve been honored to obtain, nevertheless it’s not likely for me. It’s for the individuals like Andrew Newby and his workers who’ve made Ole Miss a welcoming place for our veterans.”