Two MU Veterans Center members were honored Monday in Memorial Union with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Outstanding Public Service Award for their commitment and dedication to veterans on campus and in the community.
Carol Fleisher and Dan Sewell were influential in creating and expanding the Veterans Center, a campus office that helps veterans make the transition from military to civilian life.
Fleisher, director of the MU Veterans Center, worked closely with Sewell to develop the office. She said he is an example to those veterans who worry they cannot pursue an education after serving their country.
“Not only did Dan make it, but he made sure everyone else made it,” Fleisher said.
After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, Sewell returned to Missouri in 2007 to attend MU. As an undergraduate, he put together a two-credit hour course to assist veterans in transitioning to civilian and university life and started MU Veterans Week.
— Trevor Eischen