Featured
Happy Veterans Day!
Thank You

Fairleigh Dickinson University wishes a Happy Veterans Day to all who have served in the United States military and thanks them for their service.

Check out the video above and some highlights below featuring FDU’s Student Veteran Association and Office of Veterans Services during the Fall 2020 semester.

Painting Reuter’s Rock

A photo collage feature student veterans painting Reuter's Rock in honor of Veterans Day.

As part of an annual tradition, members of FDU SVA and Veterans Services staff came together to paint a Veterans Day mural on FDU’s iconic Reuter’s Rock on the Florham Campus.

Army Ten-Miler

Photo collage of FDU SVA members participating in the virtual Army ten-miler race

The FDU Student Veteran Association participated in the Army Ten Miler race which was held virtually on Sunday, Oct. 11. All race proceeds benefit Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. FDU’s team was comprised of:

  • Chris Putnam, Marine veteran, SVA president, junior criminal justice major
  • Desiree Cruz, dependent, SVA treasurer, senior health studies major
  • Joseph Cerciello, Marine veteran, SVA vice president, sophomore biochemistry major
  • Faith Sands, Army spouse
  • Martha Papson Garcia, Army veteran, director of FDU Veterans Services, Blue Star Mom
  • Nicole Schultheis, Army veteran
  • Luke Schultheis, honorary commander of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, FDU vice president for enrollment, planning and effectiveness

Patriotic Art Contest

Kendall Moore and Isar Ali

The winning artists of the Patriotic Art Contest are Florham Campus student Kendall Moore (left) and Metropolitan Campus student Isar Ali (right).

During the Fall 2020 semester, FDU SVA ran a patriotic art contest in which students were asked to create art based on one of two prompts:
1. “This will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis
2. “From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots.” – Thomas Jefferson

A collage of submissions for the Patriotic Art Contest

FDU graphic design student submissions for the Patriotic Art Contest.

The contest provided a $250 scholarship to the winning artists. Check out some more of the amazing submissions created by our graphic design students here: http://fdudesign.com/patriot/index.html

Skydiving with the Army Golden Knights

Director of Veterans Services Martha Papson Garcia and Vice President for Enrollment, Planning and Effectiveness Luke Schultheis went skydiving with the U.S. Army Mid-Atlantic parachute team, the Golden Knights, as part of the Community Partners Program. Check out their experience with the video below!

Luke Schultheis skydiving
Army Skydive

Dillon Pontes, a naval officer, stands on the deck of a ship in his uniform, with his right hand resting on the railing overlooking the ocean. Another sailor stands behind him.Meet Navy veteran Dillon Pontes!

Navy veteran Dillon Pontes is a computer science major at FDU and a veteran student ambassador for the Office of Veterans Services.

Read his story here: https://www.fdu.edu/news/navy-veteran-docks-at-fdu-finding-community-in-a-time-of-transition/

Did you know Pontes also wrote and illustrated a children’s book called “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon?” Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKZvBwR0b8s

Yellow Ribbon Program

FDU has been educating America’s veterans since 1946, and offers a variety of academic programs. FDU is a proud participant in the GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program, which allows a 100% eligible veteran to attend an FDU undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program at no cost.

Learn more about Veterans Services at FDU here.