SCTCC joins several other companies in its dedication to support servicemembers and military families with a Yellow Ribbon Company designation.
On April 18, local and state leaders, SCTCC employees, community members, and military servicemembers gathered for a Proclamation Ceremony at the college to celebrate the designation. Emceed by the SCTCC Student Veterans of America Club President, Justin Haas, several leaders spoke during the program on the service SCTCC provides to its student veterans.
A Yellow Ribbon Company designation shows that key areas within a company structure create a network that proactively supports servicemembers and military families.
Faculty advisors Heidi Smith and Brian Volkmuth presented certificates of appreciation to the Student Veterans of America Club members present at the ceremony. The clubmembers provided the flag detail and the national anthem.
Several leaders spoke to those who gathered for the ceremony: SCTCC President Annesa Cheek, Mayor Dave Kleis Kleis, General Lowell Kruse, Secretary of State Steve Simon, Thomas Simonet of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and Director of Military Outreach Annette Kuyper. The resounding theme was how well SCTCC serves its veteran students.
“For you to have such pride in the institution you’re in says a lot,” said St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis of student Haas’ remarks. “That’s the Yellow Ribbon recognition – it’s not just the words, it’s the actions. you wouldn’t have the pride if the actions weren’t present.”
After the program, Simonet asked President Cheek to take pen to paper to sign the Yellow Ribbon Proclamation, making the designation official.
For several years, SCTCC has been ranked highly in national lists that recognize colleges that provide outstanding services to veterans. In 2019, SCTCC was ranked 7th the Military Times’ Best for Vets list and was been named a Military Friendly school.
SCTCC joins several Minnesota State colleges and universities in the designation, including St. Cloud State University. Minnesota State is a corporate member of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Initiative, and each higher education institution is a member of the Service Member Opportunity College consortium.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a comprehensive program that creates awareness for the purpose of connecting Service members and their families with community support, training, services and resources.
