The college celebrated Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11 with a celebration on the second floor of the Student Center.
Interim President and CEO Jerry Tarrer opened the event, telling about 25 in attendance that “we want to make sure all those who have served are supported, celebrated and that we honor them.”
Two student veterans later talked about their artwork, which was on display.
Columbia has 281 students who have served in the military or who are dependents of military veterans, according to fall 2024 census data released by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
“I’ve enjoyed my experience here at Columbia. It’s had challenges, but for the most part, I’ve enjoyed it,” said junior film major Marquis Brand.
Brand said he joined the Navy to find a sense of direction. He came to Columbia after hearing good things about the school and wanting to get a degree.
Columbia offers support services such as assistance in applying to receive GI Bill educational benefits.
Kristi Beltran, director of Student Engagement and Leadership, said that the event highlights and celebrates the work veteran students have done.
“This event is a way to have veteran students meet each other and talk about their experience as a creative through that lens,” Beltran said.
The college offered lunch, cake and special keepsakes from the Makerspace.
Juliano Castro, sophomore graphic design major, presented three pieces of art at the event, which he made during his time after serving in the military.
He said that one piece was about grief, another being the change from then to now as a person, and the final about realizing not to rush progress.
“Just trust that everything’s working out for you and comparison is a thief of joy,” said Castro.
For many, expressing themselves creatively has allowed them to recover and change to something new after returning from service.
“It’s been a very lovely healing experience,” said sophomore fine arts major Victor Hugo Enriquez, a sophomore fine arts major. He served two tours in Afghanistan and then later worked as a therapist before coming to Columbia.
Two of Enriquez’s artwork featured different colored birds, with a golden one flying through wind and the other being a light yellow and red bird which has stopped in place.
Enriquez said how there’s more than meets the eye, comparing how one “can’t see the wind, but can see it moving leaves,”
“Trauma for me kept me disassociated, so to have this that reintegrates me back in life has been very healing,” said Enriquez.
Building the veteran community has been a goal for the school.
Beltran said the college currently does not have a student veteran organization, although it’s had one in the past.
The group disbanded during the pandemic and regrouped in 2023, as the Chronicle previously reported.
Marine veteran Tom Nawrocki, the most recent faculty advisor to the group, was one of 11 faculty who accepted a buyout this summer. Nawrocki taught in the former English and Creative Writing department.
“Everyone here has been very welcoming and I’m just grateful to be at Columbia,” said Enriquez.
Copy edited by Manuel Nocera
Resumen en Español:
Columbia celebró a los estudiantes veteranos con una celebración en el Centro Estudiantil. Ahí, había comida, recuerdos y discusiones para conectar a los veteranos. Dos estudiantes presentaron arte con mensajes de espiritualidad, transformación y sanación después de haber servido. Juliano Castro, un estudiante que presentó arte en el evento. Una de las obras relataba el tema de “confiar el proceso y no forzarlo.” Para Victor Hugo Enriquez, dos de sus obras mostraban un pájaro en vuelo y otro en vuelo en su lugar. “Poder tener esto que me reintegra en la vida, ha sido sanativo,” dijo Enriquez. Una meta del colegio es para poder apoyar y honrar a los estudiantes veteranos.
Resumen por Uriel Reyes
Copia editada por Manuel Nocera
