News | Q1 2025

Over the years we have grown to enjoy Q1 of our annual schedule. The semester starts back up for Wright State and so do our chances to engage with students and the university. We get to plan and host our annual cornhole tournament and we also open the application window for our Career Advancement Program. Q2 has plenty in store too as the weather warms up and we prepare for our annual Golf Outing.

Looking Back | Q1 Review

Cornhole Tournament

A crowd of over 70 players, spectators, and guests joined us on March 22nd at AMVETS Post 464 in Huber Heights for the fourth year of this annual fundraiser. Guests this year were able to enjoy the gambling machines and other amenities like pool and darts at the post. After about four hours of play we wrapped up the tournament and awarded the top three teams with prizes including VMAS coins, VMAS Bottle Breachers, VMAS thermoses, as well as gift cards to Roosters and City BBQ.

In the end we saw a 20% growth in teams this year, but less spectators left the overall guest count about the same as last year. We were able to increase the amount of funds raised this year by 15%, which will help us support multiple Vet/Mil initiatives on and off campus. We can't thank the AMVETS team enough for all their help with this year's event. Another big thanks to the members of the AMVETS who host the post's weekly cornhole tournament, as they were kind enough to support us this year by running tournament play through their digital bracketing and scoring system. With their support and the support of our sponsors the Fourth Annual VMAS Cornhole Tournament was another success!! Read the full event blog here.

Major Mixer

Each semester we partner with the Wright State Veteran & Military Center to host our Major Mixer with the goal of connecting students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local employers. This recurring event happens each fall and spring semester with the goal of introducing students to people who can help them navigate life post-college. This event is open to anyone who wants to help future graduates succeed, with complimentary dinner and drinks provided to those who in attendance. Keep an eye on our events page for our next Major Mixer.

Honoring Dr. Seth Gordon

Since 2013, Dr. Seth Gordon has dedicated significant time and energy toward serving the Veteran & Military Connected community at Wright State University. That year, he was hired as the Director for what was a new initiative focused on improving the university's support of Vet/Mil students. The university had just approved an investment into a new space that blended VA educational resources with a USO type environment. This new WSU Veteran and Military Center would give these non-traditional students a space to manage school finances, meet with a VSO rep, or just relax away from the crowd.

Dr. Gordon expanded this concept into a nationally recognized program, earning awards and accolades across the US. He has collaborated across industries, service organizations, and institutions to create opportunities for the Veteran and Military-Connected students at Wright State to succeed.

For this and so many other reasons, members of the Vet/Mil Alumni community took a moment to recognize him at a private event last week. We presented him with a laser engraved brick which will be placed in the Captain Shawn L. English Champion Garden, an on-campus memorial dedicated to a Wright State University Army ROTC Alum who was KIA in Iraq. This memorial garden is one of the many ideas that Dr. Gordon helped make a reality.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Gordon for all he has done and all he will continue to do for our community. We are each other's champion.

Military Community Advocate

Over the last few months we have employed a recent graduate with the goal of updating our digital and print marketing resources. This is being accomplished through the Military Community Advocate program through the Wright State Veteran & Military Center and the National Veterans Leadership Foundation.

The partnerships we are creating on-campus help provide the additional resources our all-volunteer board needs to effectively grow the organization without asking our volunteers to max out their personal bandwidth. This new role will be occupied by a Wright State student, Marine Corps Veteran, and Student Veterans of America leader with all the skills needed to make this a success!

---

Looking Forward | Q2 Outlook

VMAS 'Grad Tags' Fund

This spring we launch a new initiative with our on-campus partner, the Veteran & Military Center. Members of each graduating class who used federal benefits through the VMC will now be eligible to have a free dog tag added to the Captain Shawn L. English Champion Garden.

Graduating Veterans or Service Members can choose to place their own name on the dog tag or the name of someone who supported - or championed - their success. Graduating dependents are encouraged to honor a family member who served, but may also choose someone who was key to their success. The goal is to give these new grads the chance to honor someone close to them. In doing so, we hope this gives these new Alumni yet another reason to come back to campus.

Executive Leadership Elections

2025 brings another election cycle for VMAS, as our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) wraps up another two-year service term. The window for Individual Members to declare themselves eligible has closed and we are happy to share that our President and Vice-President roles will be returning for another two-year term.

We are always looking for new members to get involved and maybe even take over in the future. Volunteers can use VMAS as a way to grow their network, learn new skills, refine existing skills, or share their expertise. The best place to start is join us for our weekly meeting or email us at WrightStateVMAS@gmail.com.

Career Advancement Program

The VMAS Career Advancement Program application window is open! If you can answer YES to these questions you qualify for up to $2,500!!

• Are you a Wright State student, alumni, faculty, or staff member?

• Are you a Veteran, Service Member, or dependent?

• In the last two years, have you spent money on testing or training related to the pursuit of a professional license or certification?

  
  

We have already awarded over $4,000 to eligible applicants, learn more about the program and apply on the VMAS CAP site.

Vets Moving Forward

Vets Moving Forward is back for it's 10th year on May 21st at the Wright State Student Union. Vets Moving Forward is your local one-stop-shop, whether you are looking for work, need to enroll in the VA, are looking for access to community resources, and so much more. This event is free for those who want to attend and free for those who want to set up and support the local Vet/Mil community. Get your ticket by visiting the Eventbrite page.

Walmart's Road to Open Call

The Institute for Veteran & Military Families at Syracuse University has teamed up with the National Veteran Owned Business Association to share an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners: Walmart’s Road to Open Call! This pre-event serves as a pathway to Walmart’s larger Open Call, giving selected entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their Made in the USA, shelf-ready products directly to a Walmart sourcing representative.

This initiative supports American manufacturers by providing veteran-owned, product-based small businesses with an exclusive opportunity to meet with a Walmart sourcing representative. A total of 20 applicants will be selected to pitch their shelf-ready products in Austin, TX, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, and receive expert coaching and insights on scaling their business. This is part of Walmart’s 10-year $350 billion commitment to sourcing goods made, grown, or assembled in the U.S. and we are excited for the opportunity entrepreneurs like you might have at the 2025 Open Call! 

What to expect:

• Pitch live to Walmart buyers in Austin on Wednesday, May 21

• Selected entrepreneurs will be assigned a 30-minute meeting with Walmart buyers, where they will pitch their products and engage in a conversation with them

• Participants will receive in-person feedback and mentorship from Walmart representatives

• Walmart will invite well-qualified entrepreneurs to pitch live at its 2025 Open Call event in Bentonville, AR, through a fast-pass opportunity

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, applicants for the Austin event must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Made, Grown, or Assembled in the USA: Products must be manufactured, grown, or assembled domestically.

• Shelf-Ready: Products must be complete with a URL, barcode, and packaging.

• Proven Scalability: Entrepreneurs should demonstrate a history of scaling their business, such as transitioning from self-manufacturing to using a co-packer or establishing their own manufacturing operations. Demonstrated growth experience is required.

• Purpose-Driven Products: Products should solve a problem or provide differentiated value that resonates with consumers.

• Retail Operations Experience: Participants must have experience managing purchase orders, forecasting demand, and understanding the operational requirements of retail distribution.

• Social Media Marketing Proof Points: Entrepreneurs should present evidence of successful marketing activations, including regional campaigns and go-to-market strategies that demonstrate consumer engagement.

• Online Sales Performance: Applicants must be able to highlight their online growth and execution, showcasing their ability to build a robust digital presence.

• Services and these other categories will not be under consideration for participation in this event

How do I apply?

Visit https://www.navoba.org/WOC to apply to be considered for this exclusive opportunity. Applications will close Wednesday, April 30, with selected participants notified of their acceptance in early May. Selected entrepreneurs will receive onsite, in-person feedback and coaching. Well qualified entrepreneurs may be fast-tracked through the Open Call application process and receive an invitation to pitch live at Walmart’s 2025 Open Call in Bentonville, AR.

Please reach out to mbird02@syr.edu with any questions.

Don’t wait - apply now for an opportunity to pitch your exceptional shelf-ready product that is made in the U.S. directly to a Walmart sourcing representative. This is a significant step towards reaching millions of customers and members. Let your innovation and American craftsmanship shine at the Road to Open Call!

---

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.

• May Daze Craft Brew Fest | May 4th @ Wright State Student Union

• Hire Ohio Career Fair | June 4th @ Ohio State University Student Union

• Kings Island Wright State Day | June 22nd @ Kings Island

• VMAS Fifth Annual Golf Outing | September 6th @ Beavercreek Golf Club

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.

• Wright State Alumni Association Events Page

• Wright State Alumni Association License Plates

• Wright State Alumni Association Gold Membership