Valley College Rededicates Veteran Resource Center

San Bernardino Valley College celebrated the rededication of its Veterans Resource Center (VRC) with the unveiling of a hand-painted mural by SBVC student Santino “Tino”Romo on Thursday, April 9th.The mural depicts all the branches of the armed forces in action, honoring our American service men and women. The San Bernardino High School Color Guard and VRC student worker Darrell Mattison started the celebration with the Pledge of Allegiance. SBVC’s Voci Soli singers under the direction of faculty music chair Matie Scully then sang a stirring a cappella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, followed by a warm welcome to all attendees by SBVC Vice President of Student Services Dr. Ricky Shabazz. Dr. Shabazz introduced Community College District Chancellor Bruce Baron, who spoke briefly on the role of the resource center. The SBVC choir then performed a second number, God Bless America, with multiple parts for the different voices that had a clearly emotional impact on the audience. April Dale-Carter, Director of Admissions and Records, introduced two student speakers, who each recounted their personal experiences as veterans. Jeremy Vieth is a Cal State San Bernardino student veteran, majoring in Kinesiology-Physical Therapy, who hopes to work with veterans after his CSUSB graduation. Reginald Campbell is a VRC Veteran Student Assistant, who recounted some of his experiences and his satisfaction in working with SBVC student veterans. Dr. Shabazz made closing remarks. According to Dale-Carter, since the start of the spring 2015 semester, the center has logged 1,931 service visits, with 110 students getting educational counseling and another 204 being certified for VA educational benefits. Refreshments catered by the college’s cafeteria were served on the patio next to the VRC. Attendees were treated to a buffet style array of sandwiches, fresh fruits, taquitos, assorted cold drinks and coffee. People sat and renewed old acquaintances and started up new ones as the typically friendly San Bernardino Valley College atmosphere quickly established itself.