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Kimberly Burnett
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Prior to Salem State University’s commencement ceremonies, decorative stoles to be worn with students’ caps and gowns were presented to 70 graduating veterans during the 7th annual Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony and Alumni Celebration on May 10. President Patricia Maguire Meservey was honored by being presented with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award from the U.S. Department of Defense.
The Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony and Alumni Celebration honors and recognizes student veterans and offers an opportunity for alumni and student veterans to come together to connect, collaborate, and network.
“At Salem State, we recognize the contributions our veterans and active servicemen and women have made to our county, and all they have accomplished as students of Salem State. As a university, we will continue our commitment to those that have served this country by honoring their sacrifices and making this a university that encourages and empowers men and women of the armed forces,” Patricia Maguire Meservey said.
This year’s ceremony welcomed Massachusetts Secretary of Veteran Services Staff Sgt. Francisco Ureña as the honored guest. Secretary Ureña is a graduate of Lawrence High School and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Professor George Abboud nominated President Meservey for the ESGR award, given by the Department of Defense, which recognizes supervisors of an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve for their efforts in supporting service members in the workplace.
As a member of the National Guard, Professor Abboud juggles the responsibilities to his classroom, his family, and his country. Thanks to the trust and support of his department and the university, he always feels secure in his employment, even when the National Guard called for a year-long deployment.
“The support I received was further validated upon my return from deployment as I was seamlessly integrated back into my faculty role by my department. Further, and to my surprise, I was greeted by President Meservey at our next faculty function with a firm hand shake, a warm smile, and a ‘Welcome back, George, thank you for your service.’ That moment showed me what a good leader President Meservey is. She knows me. Knew where I had been. And thanked me,” Professor Abboud said of his nomination of President Meservey.
“This support was shown again a year later following the Boston Marathon bombing when I left the University for a week in the middle of a semester without any notice. I received the full support of the university, and I can only hope that as President Meservey moves on, that her legacy of military and veteran support will be emulated,” he added.
Salem State University is designated a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs, a Top College and University by Military Advanced Education, and a Best for Vets College by Military Times.
