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Mizzou to celebrate over 150 years of ROTC, grand opening of MU Veterans Center expansion

May 10th, 2019

Story Contact: Eric Stann, 573-882-3346, stanne@missouri.edu

WHAT: The University of Missouri Reserve Officer Training Corps will hold its annual Joint Services “pass in review” ceremony celebrating more than 150 years of military officer training at MU. Cadets and midshipmen from the Army, Air Force, Navy and the Marine Corps ROTC programs will participate in the ceremony, a long-standing U.S. military tradition that dates back to 1778 and serves as a way for a newly assigned commander to inspect the troops. Provost Latha Ramchand will serve as this year’s reviewing official and guest speaker. During the ceremony, sabers will be awarded to the top performing cadets and midshipmen from each ROTC program.

Following the ceremony, Mizzou will celebrate the recent expansion of the MU Veterans Center with a ribbon cutting, commemorative plaque unveiling and open house. Nearly 900 MU students are either veterans, active duty personnel, National Guard members, reservists, ROTC cadets and midshipmen or family members receiving GI Bill benefits. Since 2007, the MU Veterans Center has been Mizzou’s one-stop resource to help those individuals and faculty and staff with military affiliation navigate the college environment and transition from the military to academia. The center’s expansion was made possible by a gift in honor of Gary Turner, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

MU was recently designated a Purple Heart University in recognition of the university’s support of military members, including veterans and their families.

WHO:

Speakers include:

  • Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright
  • Provost Latha Ramchand
  • Lieutenant Colonel Gary Kerr, Mizzou ROTC
  • Gary Turner, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War
  • Kyle Smith, president of Mizzou Student Veterans Association
  • Robert Ross, director of the MU Veterans Center

WHEN & WHERE:     9 – 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, MU campus

  • 9 a.m. – Joint Services “pass in review” ceremony, Francis Quadrangle
  • 10 a.m. – MU Veterans Center expansion grand opening, Stotler Lounge and the MU Veterans Center, Memorial Union

NOTES: Media who wish to attend should contact Eric Stann of the MU News Bureau at 573-882-3346 or stanne@missouri.edu. Marked media vehicles will not be ticketed in Hitt Street Garage, 309 Hitt St., between 8:30-11 a.m. If media would like to park with an unmarked car, please contact Eric Stann or the News Bureau before the event so we can share your license plate number with Parking Services.

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