We turned FIVE in February! In the last five years, we have become involved in a lot of different activities that support our local Veteran & Military community. We support Wright State students and alumni as well as other local Veteran Service Organizations and on-campus initiatives. While there is a lot to cover for Q1, we want to start with preparing you for the rest of 2024.
Looking Forward | 2024 Outlook
Vets Moving Forward
Every year we take part in Vets Moving Forward, an annual event focused on connecting Veterans to Resource Organizations and Jobs in the Miami Valley. Organized by the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community, this event centralizes resources and employment opportunities for the local Veteran and Military community. Learn more and register on the event site.
2024 Golf Outing
Our annual Golf Outing is rapidly approaching! Last year was an absolute blast, and this year is looking to be even more entertaining. September 7th is the date of this year's event, with the registration window opening shortly. Keep an eye on our events page for the registration link.
Rowdy Night at the Races
One of our favorite Alumni Association events is coming up on May 4th, Rowdy Night at the Races! This horse racing-themed casino night includes gaming tables and two Rowdy horse races that guests can bet on. Each attendee is given $25,000 in playing chips to enjoy several casino games such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, and more. All "bets" are for raffle prize tickets, at the end of the night cash your winnings in for raffle tickets.
Looking Back | Q1 Review
Student-Focused Initiatives
2024 student initiatives began in January with our Spring Major Mixer, a recurring event that enables VMAS to build relationships between Veteran & Military-Connected students, alumni, and local professionals. This social gathering takes place at the beginning of each Spring and Fall semester, with VMAS providing drinks and our on-campus partner the VMC providing dinner to those who attend. Our student-focused efforts don't stop there.
For the second year, we are leveraging the students of Dr. Kollaard's Marketing class to help us understand the market in which we operate. Students have spent the semester researching organizations like ours to help us understand how we stack up against the competition. This project helps students gain real-world experience while providing tangible benefits to the organizations they support. Last year's student project resulted in three specific goals we incorporated into this year's strategy.
Cornhole Tournament
This year's tournament saw growth in every measurable category. Attendance was up 40%, sponsorship increased 500%, and revenue more than doubled!! In attendance this year we welcomed students, alumni, Wright State faculty, local VSO reps, business owners, and more. In keeping with our family-friendly goal, our guests brought a lot of family members this year who enjoyed hot food, cold drinks, and plenty of activities to keep them busy while our tournament took place. It was a packed house, and we couldn't have been happier! Learn more about the 2024 Cornhole Tournament in our event blog.
Career Advancement Program
Thanks to Fifth Third Bank, we have officially launched the second iteration of the VMAS Career Advancement Program and we have made some big changes! First, the maximum award amount has increased to $2,500!! Second, applicants now have six months to submit their applications. This program provides Wright State students and alumni who are Veterans, Service Members (Active/Guard/Reserve), or Dependents with a way to recoup expenses associated with professional development. Learn more on the VMAS CAP site.
The Women of VMAS
Have you met the amazing women that help make VMAS a success? In honor of Women's History Month, please take a moment to learn more about the Women of VMAS.
Loghan, an Army Vet, has been involved with VMAS and the Wright State VMC for years. Her connections across the Dayton region help VMAS establish new relationships and recruit new members.
Emily, a civilian, is our marketing and digital design guru. Her contribution to VMAS has helped us build a strong brand with consistent standards across all mediums of communication.
Shannon, an Army Vet, is a current student and President of the Student Veterans Association at Wright State. Her strong presence and get-it-done attitude have made a big impact during her short time as an active member.
Jenna, a Navy vet, is a Wright State Alumni and local Realtor. Jenna has a lot of connections across local non-profits and an infectious positive attitude.
Liberti, an Air Force vet, is our newest addition to the VMAS team. Her inquisitive nature has already led our team to provide more clarity across our communications.
Member Highlight | Shannon HB Doyal
This quarter's Member Highlight introduces Shannon HB Doyal. She participates in leadership development through various organizations and has sat on panels discussing what the student veteran experience is to civilians, politicians, and educators. In joining VMAS, she realized she could learn a lot about running an organization and how other groups function. Learn more about our new member in Shannon's Member Highlight blog post.
Website Updates
Have you been to our website lately? It has been through a big redesign thanks to VMAS Champion member Emily Pleasant. Emily has led the way in helping us establish a brand standard as an organization, ensuring that the brand is communicated consistently across our various digital platforms.
Like what you see? She can help your business or organization too! Reach out to us at WrightStateVMAS@gmail.com and we would be happy to connect you.
Upcoming Events
Event details can be found on the VMAS Events page or the Alumni Association Events page. Stop by one of our weekly meetings or send us an email to learn how you can help.
WSUAA Alumni Rowdy Night at the Races @ WSU Student Union - May 4, 2024
Vets Moving Forward @ WSU Student Union - May 22, 2024
WSUAA Alumni Day @ Kings Island - June 9, 2024
VMAS Golf Outing @ Beavercreek Golf Club - September 7, 2024
Support the Alumni Association by attending one of their events, purchasing a Wright State license plate, or by becoming a Wright State Alumni Association Gold Member for as little as $50 a year.
Don’t forget to check out the Wright State Alumni Association calendar for more events.