News | Q2 2025

Anthony Heiland
Jul 16
5 min read

Updated: Jul 17

Q2 for VMAS marks the end of the academic calendar. As the 24-25 school year concluded we took some time to honor a critical member of the Wright State Vet/Mil community, launched our first round of 'Tags for Grads', took part in some local events, and began preparations for upcoming events.

Looking Back | Q2 Review

Honoring Dr. Seth Gordon

In 2011 members of Wright State's Senior Leadership were presented with a concept on how to improve upon the University's engagement with Veteran and Military-Connected Students. This idea was presented by students, faculty, and staff with Vet/Mil backgrounds and including blending an educational benefits space with a USO type environment. Shortly after, The Wright State Veteran & Military Center was created and Dr. Seth Gordon was hired to bring this idea to life.

Since 2013, Dr. Gordon has dedicated significant time and energy toward serving the Veteran & Military Connected community at Wright State University. Dr. Gordon has expanded the VMC 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 Wright State Vet/Mil Alumni community took a moment to recognize him at a private event. 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 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.

Tags for Grads

We launched a new program aimed at providing new and past graduates with a way to leave their mark on campus. The Tags for Grads program gives Veteran & Military-Connected Alumni an opportunity to celebrate their service, honor the service of a loved one, or to recognize a personal champion that was key in their personal success. You choose the who, we provide the how.

Wright State Vet/Mil Alumni of the past, this is your chance to take advantage of this program! Scan the code below or visit the program registration page to complete your request.

Vets Moving Forward

For VMAS, Vets Moving Forward has become the annual event that connects us to a lot of the other Veterans Service Organizations in the area. For Veterans, military-connected individuals and family members; Vets Moving Forward provides access to local employers, resource organizations, the VA, DAV, and more. 2025 included over 70 veteran service organizations and 20 employers ready to fill available positions.

This annual event at the Wright State Student Union is organized by the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community, which supports veterans, service members and their families by connecting regional veterans service providers, resources, advocates and other stakeholders.

Northridge Veterans Memorial Dedication

Last year we supported the Northridge Local School District Alumni Veterans Memorial team with a fundraising event in an effort to expand their on campus memorial. This memorial is dedicated to past Northridge graduates who served and have since passed on, to include Medal of Honor recipient Joseph G. Lapointe. On July third we dedicated that new expansion with the help of many others. Congratulations to the memorial team and all the supporters who helped make this happen.

Looking Forward | Q3 Outlook

Fifth Annual Golf Outing

Join us for the Fifth Annual Wright State University Veteran & Military Alumni Society (VMAS) Golf Outing at Beavercreek Golf Club. Your support helps fund our Major Mixers with the Wright State VMC, Military Community Advocate opportunities with the National Veterans Leadership Foundation, events with the Raj Soin College of Business Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, and programs like ‘Tags for Grads’ which provides Vet/Mil Alumni with a way to honor a personal champion in the CPT Shawn English Champion Garden.

Registration includes green fees, cart, one mulligan, two raffle tickets, three drink tickets (😉), and a post-play meal provided by Tony & Pete's. Prizes are awarded to the Top 3 teams, with additional challenges our guests can take part in.

earn extra raffle tickets before the outing begins in our Driving Range Challenge.
shave a stroke off your team score during the outing by taking part in out PT Challenge
earn an additional prize with the Longest Drive or Closest to the Pin Challenges
stop by the practice green at the turn throughout play for a chance to earn a premium raffle package from Callaway Golf in our Putting Challenge

Learn more and register on the event page.

Entreprenuership Bootcamp for Veterans

The Raj Soin College of Business is looking for mentors to support the 2025 Reynolds and Reynolds Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans! Join highly motivated Vetrepreneurs and other local professionals for one (or more) mentoring sessions this year.

Sessions include dinner while you offer 2 hours of your time and expertise to share with our veterans to help set them up for entrepreneurial success. They are hungry for knowledge, and you have exactly that!

Mentoring evening details can be found below. Mentors are also invited to join the opening ceremony, graduate gallery showcase, and the closing ceremony.

Sunday, August 10 in the VMC in Allyn Hall (WSU Main Campus), 6-8pm
Monday, August 11 in the Foundation Building (across from WSU Main Campus), 6:30-8pm
Tuesday, August 12 at The Wandering Griffin, 6-8pm
Friday, August 15 at the Foundation Building, 6-8pm

If you're able to attend please use the RSVP Link: https://wright.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56DH1zPIFhbwB4G

Major Mixer

Our twice-a-year Major Mixer will be held again in September for the Fall Semester. This event is designed to create a space for Veteran & Military-Connected Students and Alumni to enjoy an evening of dinner, drinks, and networking. Alumni can share their expertise, experiences, and knowledge on local employers to the next generation of our local workforce. Looking to hire a full-time role or internship? Begin the search for your next potential candidate here. Guests can RSVP on the event site.

Miami County Vet Fest

The Miami County Vet Fest is October 11, 2025 at the Miami County Fairgrounds, and there is A LOT planned for the event! Free and open to the public, join the Miami Valley community from 12 PM to 6 PM to honor service, inspire patriotism, and build community with a day packed full of nonstop excitement:

Epic Car & Bike Show
Massive Kids Zone
Food Trucks Galore
Local & National Vendors
Inspirational Guest Speakers
Veterans Resources & Support
Raffles, Giveaways & SO MUCH MORE!

The evening ends with a free concert by country music star Darryl Worley. Learn more on the official event site.

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.

Fifth Annual Golf Outing | September 6, 2025
Major Mixer w/ the VMC | September 2025
Vet Fest 2025 | October 11, 2025
Sapphire Jubilee | January 31, 2026

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.