John O’Dell
In Motion Staff Writer
Justina Newman/ In Motion
The office is located in the Lenholt Student Center, Building 130, on the east side of the dining area, room 124. A sign over the doorway calls attention to the Veteran Center, formally a faculty dining room until it was converted for veterans two years ago. Members of the DSC Board of Trustees realized that veterans are one of the fastest growing communities in the country. They felt they needed to act and act quickly. It didn’t take long to see that the area in building 130 would be better served as a place to serve out former and current military personnel.
It is staffed by counselor John Darnell, certifying official Wanda Bailey who double checks all paperwork and financial aid specialist Lisa Randal who travels from Orlando to help whenever needed. The center offers services such as processing veterans’ paperwork to get into the college, helping veterans apply for financial aid or military benefits and just offering a central place to meet and talk to other former and present military personnel.
As for facets of the education process veterans may be missing out on, Darnell said, “Most of the veterans are like so many of the students enrolled here at DSC and are going day-to-day. But if they apply themselves they could achieve a four-year degree in just 36 months.”
Since 2012, the Veterans Center has experienced much growth among both veterans and in terms of its profile within the larger Daytona State College community. Veterans have created their VA Center offers variety of services John O’Dell In Motion Staff Writer own student government organization.