Vice Dean at Columbia University Honored for Lifetime Support of Veterans and Service Members

NEW YORK - April 5, 2019 - PRLog -- Vice Dean of the Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) Curtis Rodgers was honored with the Peter J. Awn Lifetime Service Award at the 9th Annual Columbia University Military Ball on Friday, March 29. The award, named in memory of the late Dean Emeritus of the School, honors a lifetime of outstanding support for military veterans and service members.

Rodgers was selected to receive the award by the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University, a student group that fosters camaraderie and networking among veterans joining a long tradition of veteran scholars at Columbia that dates back to the end of World War II and the creation of GS.

"I appreciate the recognition for doing what I love and for trying to do that well, and for trying to make a difference, but I am not done yet. We have done great things over these 20 years and we deserve a moment to reflect on that and think about our success and our accomplishments, but we can only do that in the context of what comes next. There are still incredible things to be done and I myself plan to do them, with you," Rodgers said.

As vice dean, Rodgers is the senior administrative officer of GS, an undergraduate college with more than 2,800 enrolled students, including more than 500 military veterans. During his time at Columbia University, he has gained broad experience identifying a variety of top-performing adult, returning, veteran, nontraditional, and traditional students, as well as developing innovative enrollment and retention strategies for these distinct populations.

The experiences Rodgers has had working with military service members and veterans over the last 20 years led to his founding, along with Dean Peter J. Awn, the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration at Columbia University.

"Look around the room at all of the veteran students and alumni who are here. Look at all the veterans who have been given an opportunity to receive a world-class education and reach their potential. They are here tonight because of you," said Michael Abrams, Executive Director for the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration. "We can all serve our country in meaningful ways. On behalf of all the veterans in this room tonight, Curtis, thank you for your service."

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About the Columbia University School of General Studies
The Columbia University School of General Studies (https://gs.columbia.edu/) is the premier liberal arts college in the United States for nontraditional undergraduate students seeking a rigorous, traditional, Ivy League education, including those who have served in the U.S. and foreign militaries. Currently, more than 500 veterans are enrolled. GS students take the same courses, study with the same faculty, and earn the same degree as all other undergraduates at Columbia University.

About the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration
Columbia University launched the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration (https://veterans.columbia.edu/) to have a direct and lasting impact on the issue of veteran transition and upward mobility by creating and providing access to the best-in-class tools and programming veterans need as they transition from active service to college and the workforce. By drawing on the lessons and experiences gained working with service members in transition over the past fifteen years, the Center is a national center of excellence, focused on ensuring transitioning veterans receive access to world class programming and support designed to maximize their potential in education and the workforce.