Military Veteran Services Center Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary on June 1, 2018

Celebrating five years of service to military veteran students and the veteran community, Bellevue University’s Military Veteran Services Center (MVSC) will hold an open house on Friday, June 1, 2018. Speakers at the event will include U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael D. Navrkal and University President Dr. Mary Hawkins.

The formal program will run from 2-3 p.m. and an open house and tour of the center will follow from 3-4 p.m. Weather permitting, Company G, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion of the Nebraska Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Facility Number 1 will provide a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter static display for the public to view.

Dedicated in 2013, the MVSC illustrates Bellevue University’s commitment to serving the military and returning veterans. Bellevue University strives to continually develop new programs and services to meet the evolving needs of the nation’s servicemen and women both locally and around the world.

“I’m very proud of the work that has been done and continues to be done here at the MVSC and of all the contributions made by Bellevue University leaders, alumni, individuals, and organizations within the community,” said J.R. Richardson, Director of the MVSC. “We’ve been able to help thousands over the years. It feels good to have a positive impact on the community.”

Navrkal serves as the principal advisor to the Deputy Commander on reserve component matters related to the command’s diverse missions, including strategic deterrence, space and cyberspace operations, global strike, and integrated missile defense operations. He earned a Master of Science in Security Management from Bellevue University in 2006.

Hawkins was appointed president of Bellevue University in July of 2009 and has been with the University for close to 23 years. A military wife and mother, Hawkins was instrumental in forming the vision for the MVSC and seeing that vision to fruition..

“I am very proud to of the growth and development of the MVSC over the past five years,” Hawkins said. “Serving the military has been a part of Bellevue University’s mission since its inception in 1966. The MVSC’s impact on veterans, active duty military members, Bellevue University, and the entire community is hard to overestimate.”