Category: Veterans

On Saturday, October 21, runners from twenty+ states will take part in Tackle the Trail™, a trail race along the scenic Airline Trail in Northeast Connecticut. Tackle the Trail™ embodies the idea of a community event with 150 volunteers supporting a course that runs through the towns of Windham, Pomfret and Putnam, CT. Celebrating its tenth year, this annual event features marathon, half-marathon, 10K, and relay team options, as well as TackleJR, a half-mile youth race that ends at the official Tackle the Trail finish line.

Individuals and up to 5-person relay teams will enjoy the quiet solitude of nature with bursts of energetic and supportive volunteers at 4 relay stations during this point-to-point race. Individual runners can choose between the marathon, half-marathon, and 10K course options for a fun and challenging experience with mixed terrain including some single-track technical sections. In addition to prizes for the top runners in each event, all finishers will receive race medals, complimentary food, and free beverages from brews sponsor Omission Balanced Brewing. Following the finish line festival, runners are encouraged to explore the quaint but lively communities of Northeast CT, including the many fall festivals that coincide with race weekend.

Tackle the Trail™ serves as a major fundraiser for the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation and benefits students attending the Danielson and Willimantic campuses of Quinebaug Valley Community College. This cause, coupled with the event’s promotion of wellness, attracts the support of many sponsors on the local and national level. Race sponsor Pursuit Aerospace has supported the event since its inception in 2014 and has demonstrated the company’s commitment to employee health and wellness, with over 200 employees participating in the race over the event’s ten years. Community and youth wellness is also a motivator for TackleJR sponsor the Newell D. Hale Foundation, a charitable body known for their support of access to healthy activities and education for children. Sponsor support like this ensures healthier communities and future Tackle the Trail™ runners for generations to come.

Those interested in running at this year’s Tackle the Trail™ are encouraged to sign up before the registration deadline of September 30. For more information or to register, visit tacklethetrail.org.

Monique Wolanin
Race Director
742 Upper Maple Street
Danielson, CT 06239
860-932-4174
mwolanin@qvcc.edu

_{The QVCC Foundation Mission is to raise funds, so all residents of northeast Connecticut have the opportunity to attend QVCC regardless of income and to support educational excellence, technological advancement, and professional development at the College. The Foundation also serves as the Regional Advisory Council to the College.}  

On Saturday, October 15th, runners from twenty-one states and two countries will take part in Tackle the Trail™, a trail race along the scenic Airline Trail in Northeast Connecticut. Tackle the Trail™ embodies the idea of a community event with 150 volunteers supporting a course that runs through the towns of Windham, Pomfret and Putnam, CT. Celebrating its ninth year, this annual event features marathon, half-marathon, and relay team options, as well as TackleJR, a half-mile youth race that ends at the official Tackle the Trail finish line.

Individuals and up to 5-person relay teams will enjoy the quiet solitude of nature with bursts of energetic and supportive volunteers at 4 relay stations during this point-to-point race. Individual runners can choose between the marathon and half-marathon course options for a fun and challenging experience with mixed terrain including some single-track technical sections. In addition to prizes for the top runners in each event, all finishers will receive race medals, complimentary food, and free beverages from brews sponsor Michelob Ultra. Following the finish line festival, runners are encouraged to explore the quaint but lively communities of Northeast CT, including the many fall festivals that coincide with race weekend.

Tackle the Trail™ serves as a major fundraiser for the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation and benefits students attending the Danielson and Willimantic campuses of Quinebaug Valley Community College. This cause, coupled with the event’s promotion of wellness, attracts the support of many sponsors on the local and national level. Race sponsor Whitcraft Group has supported the event since its inception in 2014 and has demonstrated the company’s commitment to employee health and wellness, with over 200 employees participating in the race over the event’s nine years. Community and youth wellness is also a motivator for TackleJR sponsor the Newell D. Hale Foundation, a charitable body known for their support of access to healthy activities and education for children. Sponsor support like this ensures healthier communities and future Tackle the Trail™ runners for generations to come.

Those interested in running at this year’s Tackle the Trail™ are encouraged to sign up before the registration deadline of September 25. For more information or to register, visit tacklethetrail.org.

Monique Wolanin
Race Director
742 Upper Maple Street
Danielson, CT 06239
(860) 932-4174
mwolanin@qvcc.edu

_{The QVCC Foundation Mission is to raise funds, so all residents of northeast Connecticut have the opportunity to attend QVCC regardless of income and to support educational excellence, technological advancement, and professional development at the College. The Foundation also serves as the Regional Advisory Council to the College.}  

DANIELSON – On Thursday, November 11, Quinebaug Valley Community College was graced with a beautiful November afternoon to host the annual Veterans Day Celebration outdoors in the Veterans Garden, located on the Danielson campus.

Over 400 bricks engraved with the names of local veterans lie in QVCC’s Veterans Garden, which was built in 2010 with the goal of providing a place where local veterans could be honored and remembered for their services to our country.

QVCC’s Veterans Day Celebration began with the National Anthem, performed by QVCC alumna Linda Colangelo, and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Fred Ruhlemann of the Danielson Veteran Coffeehouse. QVCC CEO Dr. Karen Hynick provided a warm welcome, followed by comments from United States Congressman Joe Courtney and Connecticut State Representative Pat Boyd.

The celebration also included an original poem, written and recited by QVCC’s Veterans Services Coordinator Joel Niemann ’15, “A Soldier’s Prayer,” read by Sergeant 1st Class Melissa Collins of the Connecticut National Guard, and musical selections, including a Military Service Song medley and God Bless America, also performed by Linda Colangelo.

Following the outdoor celebration, guests were welcomed into the SPIROL Art Gallery for a viewing of the Veterans Connection photo exhibit. The Veterans Connection photo exhibit began in the fall of 2014 to recognize and celebrate the QVCC faculty, staff, and community members who have served or have loved ones who have served in the United States military.

Also featured in the exhibit is a missing man table, also known as a fallen comrade table. This table is reserved to honor our brave and selfless American military members who have perished on the battlefield, those who have not been returned to us after being taken prisoner on foreign soil, and for those who went missing and have not found their way back home.

The Veterans Connection photo exhibit, which is open to the public, will be running until Friday, November 26. Community members are invited and encouraged to visit.

“We’re so grateful that we could host our Veterans Day celebration in person this year,” said QVCC’s Veterans Services Coordinator Joel Niemann. “We had outstanding weather, excellent speakers, and an incredible photo exhibit. We couldn’t have asked for more to honor our veterans, locally and beyond.”

DANIELSON — The following events at Quinebaug Valley Community College are free and open to the public:

INFORMATION SESSIONS: MEET WITH ADMISSIONS
Tuesdays, June 15, 22, or 29 at 5:30 pm | Virtual
Learn about our 50+ degree and certificate programs, get your questions answered about the admissions process, and hear how you might qualifty for FREE tuition. It’s always FREE to apply to QVCC. Register now at QVCC.edu/virtual-information-sessions.

ACCEPTED STUDENT DAYS
June 23 or 24, 2—6 pm | Virtual or *On Campus
You’ve been accepted to QVCC! Not sure what your next steps are? Attend one of our Accepted Student Days and receive personal, one-on-one assistance, virtually or by appointment on campus. The Admissions Team can help you complete your Accepted Student Checklist, create your schedule for the fall, and more!

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING & MECHATRONICS TOUR AND INFORMATION SESSION
June 23, 4 OR 6 pm | *On Campus 
There is a huge demand for our graduates by local and regional businesses. Meet our team, tour our facilities, and learn about internships and job placement for graduates. No RSVP needed!

^{*On the Danielson campus}

Quinebaug Valley Community College has earned the designation of Gold status as a 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School.  Gold status is the highest designation given to any of the community colleges in the state of Connecticut. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with around 750 schools earning the designation of which 162 selected for the “Gold” award status for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs.

Tracey Ferguson, QVCC Veteran Services Certifying Official, “QVCC is proud to be designated a Military Friendly School. Offering exemplary educational opportunities to our military members, both active duty and veteran, is just one small way that we thank our service members and their families for the tremendous sacrifices that they have made for our country.”

Military Friendly® is owned and operated by VIQTORY, a veteran-owned business. Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs ®, Military Spouse, and Military Friendly ® brands.

Quinebaug Valley Community College will celebrate Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11 with a virtual ceremony, highlighting the addition and dedication of 19 new bricks to the Veterans Garden. The virtual ceremony will also include greetings from QVCC’s Dr. Rose R. Ellis and several local legislators.

Messages from legislators include Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Mae Flexer, Congressman Joe Courtney, Representative Anne Dauphinais, and Representative Pat Boyd. The Presentation of Colors will be done by the American Legion of Putnam, CT and the musical selection will be performed by Linda Colangelo.

Over 400 bricks already lie in QVCC’s Veterans Garden, which was built in 2010 with the goal of having a place where local veterans could be honored and remembered for their service. The new bricks added this year honor the following servicemen and servicewomen:

James L. Ayers
US Army, World War II

Lester E. Day
US Army, World War II

Joseph Dziki
USMC, World War II

Roland J. Farfand
US Navy, WWII Seabees

David A. Griffiths
USAF, THS, 1965-1970

SGT Paul A. LaJeunesse
US Army

ENCM John D. Lord
US Navy, Vietnam

George E. Marczac
US Coast Guard, Vietnam

Dennis J. Matteau
US Army, Vietnam

Floyd R. Merriman
US Army, 75 INF, World War II

Al Orlomoski
US Army, 1946-1949
11 AB, JAPAN

Steven F. Orlomoski
US Air Force, 1979-2013

Ray Porier
US Air Force AMISTCL, AF12501599

SGT E. Spooner
Operation Freedom, 2012-2013

Darrell E. Stevens
US Navy, Vietnam, 1970

George J. Thivierge
US Army, Korea

SPC5 VJ Ward
US Army, 1966-1968

SP5 John W. Warner
US Army, Vietnam

SPC5 Bruce Allen Waterman
US Army, Vietnam

Quinebaug Valley Community College announced that it has earned the 2020-2021 Military Friendly® School designation, maintaining Gold status distinction.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,000 schools participated in the 2020-2021 survey with 695 earning the designation.

The 2020-­2021 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

Annie Hill, QVCC Veterans Associate and School Certifying Official stated, “It is such an honor to have been named a Military Friendly® School, maintaining our Gold status distinction. Quinebaug Valley Community College is so proud to have been recognized for the level of service provided to the students who have so selflessly served our country. Veteran students are an integral part of our college community, and their successes are indicative in this achievement.”

Military Friendly’s National Director Josh Rosen stated, “Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to colleges creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to invest in programs to provide educational outcomes that are better for the Military Community as a whole.”

For more information about QVCC’s student veteran programs, visit QVCC’s website at www.qvcc.edu/veterans.

# # #

About Military Friendly® Schools:
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data­-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all post­secondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Quinebaug Valley Community College:
QVCC is committed to providing the best possible education, guidance, and support for our military men and women. We take pride in offering veterans and service members a strong support system, including assistance with military educational benefits packages, advising, registration and certification services in a one-stop fashion. The dedicated Veterans Oasis, Veterans Advisory Committee, Veterans Day Celebration, Veterans Stand Down Resource Fair, and Veterans Garden are some of the ways QVCC supports its veterans.

About Viqtory:
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands.  VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

For further information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Josh Rosen
Military Friendly
Military Friendly National Director
Josh.Rosen@militaryfriendly.com 

Annie Hill
Quinebaug Valley Community College
Veterans Associate and School Certifying Official
ahill@qvcc.edu |860-932-4114

Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.,m.

Quinebaug Valley Community College, in partnership with the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, will host its annual Veterans’ Stand Down, an event designed to give former service members assistance with benefits information, on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Danielson campus.

Beginning at 9 a.m., there will be a suicide prevention discussion in the Robert E. Miller Auditorium until 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the resource fair includes more than 50 community, health, government groups, veterans’ services groups, as well as representatives from the state Department of Labor, the American Legion and others.

For a second year, a fall prevention exposition organized by the Northeast District Department of Health will provide free health screenings for Veterans on a first-come, first-serve basis. The exposition is made possible by the Connecticut Collaboration for Fall Prevention.

For additional information, contact Annie Hill at 860-932-4114 or ahill@qvcc.edu

Released: June 3, 2019

The Connecticut General Assembly enacted a state law that allows undocumented students to apply for institutional financial aid.  You must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements along with an affidavit with the institution you are attending about your intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so.  This does not apply to non-immigrant visa holders.

Undocumented Veterans are eligible now and other undocumented students will be eligible to apply for the 2019-2020 academic year, with funding beginning in spring 2020.

LEARN MORE >>

Quinebaug Valley Community College has earned the 2019-2020 Military Friendly® Schools Designation.  In addition to Gold status, The College has been recognized as a Top 10 Military Friendly® School, ranking fifth in the small community college category nationwide.  The Military Friendly® Top 10 Schools are the guidon bearers for military/veteran programs and initiatives. They set the standard for other designations and are programs that continue to improve every year. Top 10 Award winners have programs that scored the highest within a given category.

Annie Hill, QVCC veteran services associate and certifying official stated, “It is such an honor to have exceeded last year’s Gold status distinction. We are very proud of the service we provide to our Veteran students and their families. We are constantly looking for ways to improve the services offered to those who have so selflessly served our country.”

Now in its 10th year, the Military Friendly® Schools list has come to set the standard for higher education institutions to provide the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses. This prestigious list provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families using data sources from federal agencies and proprietary survey information from participating organizations.

Military Friendly® is owned and operated by VIQTORY, a veteran-owned business. Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs ®, Military Spouse, and Military Friendly ® brands.

Learn more about QVCC Veteran Services

Released: Monday, January 28, 2019