MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
FOR VETERAN STUDENTS OF
MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY
Volume 1 – Issue 14
Veteran Center
JUNE 2015
Important Dates —June
FROM THE DIRECTOR
1����������� CONNECT orientation
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
2����������� Eight week summer classes begin
2, 5, 8��� Bookstore financial aid book
charging
6����������� Last day to add 8 week course
Last 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 orientation
New Veterans orientation briefing
CONNECT Orientations
21��������� Father’s Day
26��������� Military Day at the Roosevelt
Park Zoo
(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
OFFICE HOURS
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
500 University Ave. W.
Minot, ND 58707
701-858-­4003/1-800-777-0750
www.MinotStateU.edu
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,
11��������Finals breakfast
Stand 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. seminar
American Legion meeting
21��������Student affairs meeting
Inter agency meeting
Helpful Websites
OEF/OIF/OND Returning service members team locator
http://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp
22�������1st annual Search and Discover fallen heroes
Memorial Day event on campus
Online study help
www.how-to-study.com
How to Study has many articles on practical study skills and
tips from fellow students on how to study.
www.testpreview.com
This website has study guides, flash cards, and practice test
questions for many different tests including ACT, Praxis I
and II, SAT, and GRE.
25��������8th Street bridge and Rosehill Cemetary Memorial
Day events
VA Educational Benefits toll free
number 1(888)442-4551
29��������SCO workshop Bismarck
US Armed Forces dates June
6���������D Day
7 – 14��Entire Week — National Flag Week
14��������Flag Day
US Army Birthday
23��������Coast Guard Auxiliary Birthday
27��������PTSD Awareness day
Events Attended in May
6���������Safe Communities meeting
Enrollment webinar
7���������Military Affairs committee
Women Veteran Health Care
Hotline 1(855)829-6636
Pam’s Corner
Well, 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
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PTSD AWARENESS DAY: June 27th
In order to bring greater awareness to the issue of posttraumatic 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.
1st annual search and discover
mission for Memorial Day photos
For more information on PTSD and help for
Veterans contact Minot Vet Center @
701-852-0177
National 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/home
Good 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 link
http://maketheconnection.net/
Shared experiences and support for Veterans
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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 Info
Ali 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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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.
Honor Flight recognizes American Veterans
Honor 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.
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Agent Orange Event
There 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.
Old Main Room 101/103
REMEMBER YOUR EDUCATIONAL
BENEFITS HOTLINE
Contact Jessica Smestad (701)858-4039
1(888)442-4551
Check the website for schedule or stop in the
tutoring cente: http://www.minotstateu.edu/cetl/
Math Clinic is located in Model Hall 212
Disability services are also available for anyone with a service
documented disability by contacting Evelyn Klimpel (701)8583371. Alternate format, testing accommodations, note taking,
and electronic books are just a few of the accommodation
available.
Drop In Tutoring
http://www.minotstateu.edu/disability_services/
Check out what’s happening on campus —MSU Calendar of Events
WWW.MINOTSTATEU.EDU
Veterans Center Facebook page link
https://www.facebook.com/MinotStateVeterans
Minot State University Facebook page link
https://www.facebook.com/minotstateuniversity
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