Assistance for veterans gains MSU national spotlight

Contact: Kenneth Billings

STARKVILLE, Miss.--A publication for U.S. service personnel is naming Mississippi State among the nation's top military-friendly institutions of higher learning.

Military Advanced Education is including the land-grant university in its third annual Guide to America's Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities. The listing is part of the semi-monthly publication's upcoming November/December print and on-line editions.

Produced by Maryland-based KMI Media Group, the 19,000-circulation magazine is produced specifically for personnel seeking to take advantage of military education benefits.

"Mississippi State is proud to play a leadership role in providing educational opportunities for the men and women of the armed services who sacrifice so much in defense of our great country," said university President Mark Keenum.

"Our Sonny Montgomery Center for America's Veterans is a tremendous asset for helping service members take full advantage of their available benefits," he added. "Being included on this distinguished list exemplifies the commitment the center, and the university as a whole, are making to being a first-line resource for veterans."

Military Advanced Education is the fastest-growing magazine in the KMI Media Group family of military publications. It covers issues and trends concerning education specifically related to military life, including innovative programs, financial aid and course work.

Created in 2006, the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Center for America's Veterans honors the legacy of the 1943 MSU alumnus and 15-term U.S. congressman who authored a major bill supporting veterans' education and other benefits. The legislation was named in his honor.

Located in a former campus residence on Magruder Street, the center provides a range of outreach services and programs in support of student veterans and active service members, as well as military dependents and survivors.

Programs include comprehensive benefit counseling and certification; veteran support, outreach and recruiting; and veteran transition assistance. (For additional information, visit www.veterans.msstate.edu.)

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.