FROM THE DIRECTOR

We appreciate your service!It was great to watch this year’s group of Veterans

Center graduates cross the stage into the next part of their careers. Pictures of this year’s undergraduate students are below.

There may be a day or two in June, because of training requirements, that both Pam Hopkins, Veterans education benefits coordinator and myself may be out of the office, otherwise, we are open throughout the summer, 8 a.m – 4:30 p.m. daily, except for holidays. Please stop in the Veterans Center, Administration 152. We are here for Veterans, and always enjoy it when they stop in to get us up to date. Make sure to bring any suggestions you may have to help the office help us better serve you.

Looking forward to a great summer!

— Andy Heitkamp, Veteran Services director

ADA webinar

Veteran CenterVolume 1 – Issue 14

JUNE 2015

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

FOR VETERAN STUDENTS OF

MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY

Important Dates —June

1 ����������� CONNECT orientation

2 ����������� Eight week summer classes begin

2, 5, 8 ��� Bookstore financial aid book charging

6 ����������� Last day to add 8 week courseLast day to drop from all classes and receive 100 percent refund

8 ����������� Law school admissions test

10 ��������� Summer tuition due (financial aid disbursement)

12 ��������� Flag Day ceremony, Old Main, Noon

14 ��������� SSAT Secondary School Admissions Test

18 ��������� CONNECT orientationNew Veterans orientation briefingCONNECT Orientations

21 ��������� Father’s Day

26 ��������� Military Day at the Roosevelt Park Zoo

OFFICE HOURS8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

500 University Ave� W�Minot, ND 58707

701-858- 4003/1-800-777-0750www.MinotStateU.edu

(L-R) Thomas Konchan, Paola Montenegro, Chris Ray, Teresa Smith, Tabitha Hand, Raymond Copeland, Heather Wolberg, Thomas Vera, Parley Egwu, Tony Hieu Le, Robert Waldrip, Isreal Edosomwan, Carla Fernandez, Thomas Flikins

Pictured above are the 2014-2015 Veteran Center graduates that were able to attend the photo session. All the individuals that meet the requirements for graduation who were entitled to VA educational benefits to complete their degree at Minot State University are; Veterans: Josephine Aleman, Robert Ashley, Maria Castro, Raymond Copeland, Richard Cormier, Eric Dubose, Isreal Edosomwan, Parley

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Pam’s CornerWell, we’re finally seeing warmer temperatures, and looking forward to even a warmer summer, yeah! Make sure if you’re enrolled in summer classes that you’ve sent me your worksheet� We love to keep in touch, so stop by and see us� Have a good, safe and warm summer!

Pam Hopkins, Veterans School Certifying Official

Helpful WebsitesOEF/OIF/OND Returning service members team locatorhttp://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp

Online study helpwww.how-to-study.comHow to Study has many articles on practical study skills and tips from fellow students on how to study. www.testpreview.comThis website has study guides, flash cards, and practice test questions for many different tests including ACT, Praxis I and II, SAT, and GRE.

VA Educational Benefits toll free number 1(888)442-4551

Events Attended in May6..........Safe Communities meeting

Enrollment webinar

7..........Military Affairs committee

11 ........Finals breakfastStand Down committee

13 ........Womens Auxilary (Introduced scholarship recipient Aubrey Martin)

14 ........Honors Program hooding ceremony

15 ........Commencement

18 ........Read and Write training

19 ........V.E.T. seminarAmerican Legion meeting

21 ........Student affairs meetingInter agency meeting

22........1st annual Search and Discover fallen heroes Memorial Day event on campus

25 ........8th Street bridge and Rosehill Cemetary Memorial Day events

29 ........SCO workshop Bismarck

US Armed Forces dates June6..........D Day

7 – 14 ..Entire Week — National Flag Week

14 ........Flag DayUS Army Birthday

23 ........Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday

27 ........PTSD Awareness day

Egwu, Carla Fernandez, Thomas Filkins, Tabitha Hand, Justin Heersink, Jason Huber, Anna Jeffcoat, Thomas Konchan, Tony Le, Stuart Lowery, Paola Montenegro, Michael Montonye, Krystle Parrill, Ashley Perlichek, Christopher Ray, Amanda Shepard, Teresa Smith, Codi Thomas, Matthew Todd, Thomas Vera, Robert Wardrip and Heather Wolberg, and Veteran Dependents: Gretchen Collier, Elizabeth Hamm, L’Tanya Flythe, Arianna Hackett, Mychael Hackett, Jordana Kain, Joseph Landry, Jill Meyer, Jessica Pickering, Sarah Polsfut, Emily Pursino, Amy Richmond and Jordan Trottier,

Women Veteran Health Care Hotline 1(855)829-6636

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PTSD AWARENESS DAY: June 27thIn order to bring greater awareness to the issue of post-

traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the United States Senate designated June 27th as National PTSD Awareness Day. In addition, June has been designated as PTSD Awareness Month by the National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD).

According to the NCPTSD, PTSD is an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to a single traumatic event or multiple traumatic events, such as sexual or physical assault, natural or man-made disaster, and war-related combat stress. Symptoms of PTSD include persistent intrusive thoughts and distressing dreams about the traumatic event, triggered emotional responses to reminders of the trauma, efforts to avoid thinking or talking about the trauma, and persistent hypervigilance for cues that indicate additional danger or trauma re-occurring.

The mission of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is to raise awareness about child traumatic stress. The NCTSN joins this effort to raise awareness about PTSD. We offer the following resources to help educate individuals, families, professionals, policy makers, and communities about the significant impact that PTSD has on men, women, and children. Effective psychological interventions and drug treatments are available to assist those who suffer with, PTSD to heal from their traumas and to lead healthy, productive lives.

For more information on PTSD and help for Veterans contact Minot Vet Center @

701-852-0177National Center for PTSD www.ptsd.va.gov

http://awarenessrib-bonsptsd.com for information. Wear Black & Gold ribbon with Red star.

If you have a friend that may have PTSD - LISTEN. To Find him/her help. 1-877-WAR-VETS;

1-866-496-8838 or Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) website

link https://newgibill.zendesk.com/homeGood site for learning more about your Chapter 33 (Post

9/11 GI Bill benefits), for National Guard/Reserve or Active Duty soldiers.

Make the CONNECTION website linkhttp://maketheconnection.net/Shared experiences and support for Veterans

1st annual search and discover mission for Memorial Day photos

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Information regarding Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.

Please pass along.The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry is a database of health information about Veterans and Service

Members. Registry participation is open to any Veteran or Service Member who served in:

* OEF/OIF/OND or in Djibouti, Africa, after September 11, 2001* Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm or the Southwest Asia theater of operations after August 2, 1990

Register: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/

Learn more: http://www.publichealth.va.gov or call 1-877-222-8387

Ali’s InfoAli is out of the office recuperating from knee surgery� She is looking forward to being back in the office latter this summer�

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Honor Flight recognizes American VeteransHonor Flight recognizes American Veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to

see YOUR memorial at no cost. Top priority will be given to those World War II Veterans who haven’t yet seen their memorial followed by Korean War Veterans and terminally ill Veterans from all wars. In order for Honor Flight to achieve this goal, escorts fly with the Veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping them have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience. Please consider this a small token of appreciation from everyone at WDAY Honor Flight for what you veterans have given to Americans. For further information, please contact t (218) 779-7834 or visit www.wdayhonorflight.areavoices.com.

All applications are taken in the order received, with the exception of terminally ill veterans who may be from any American war or conflict. They will be contacting you by mail when there is a seat available on the next flight.

For a Veteran Application, we recommend this link to get the Veteran Application: http:/wdayhonorflight.areavoices.com/files/2015/03/WDAYHonorFlightApplication.docx_ .pdf

Additional pieces of paper may be needed for your application. If Veterans still cannot print the application, call Beth Bouley at (218)779-7834 and she will mail the application.

VET WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS stopped on campus to check out the Minot State University Veteran Center. Representatives from the North Dakota University System, State of North Dakota Veterans Affairs, North Dakota National Guard, Minot Military Outreach, Minot Air Force Base, N.D.S.U., U.N.D, Mayville State, Dakota College, Lake Region, Bismarck State, N.D.S.C.S., Ft. Berthold Community College, Standing Rock, United Tribes Technical College, Dickinson State, North Dakota Job Service and the University of Jamestown participated in the two day workshop.

Check out what’s happening on campus —MSU Calendar of Events WWW.MINOTSTATEU.EDU

Veterans Center Facebook page linkhttps://www.facebook.com/MinotStateVeterans

Minot State University Facebook page linkhttps://www.facebook.com/minotstateuniversity

Drop In Tutoring Old Main Room 101/103

Contact Jessica Smestad (701)858-4039

Check the website for schedule or stop in the

tutoring cente: http://www�minotstateu�edu/cetl/

Math Clinic is located in Model Hall 212

REMEMBER YOUR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS HOTLINE1(888)442-4551

Disability services are also available for anyone with a service documented disability by contacting Evelyn Klimpel (701)858-3371. Alternate format, testing accommodations, note taking, and electronic books are just a few of the accommodation available.http://www.minotstateu.edu/disability_services/

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Agent Orange EventThere will be an Agent Orange Event that will take place in New Town on 3 June 2015. The event will take place at 4 Bears Casino and will go from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Agent Event will host a variety of Veteran Resources and will end with a Round Table/ Open Forum Discussion. This is a very informative event for those who served in Vietnam and/or had family members that served in Vietnam. I encourage attendance if available.