Veterans Day celebrations on campus
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, the MVRC held its annual Veterans Day Tribute ceremony in Veterans Plaza honoring military-connected students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members who have served or are still serving in the military. Attendees were treated to a performance by the Navy Band Southeast and the º£½ÇÉçÇøROTC provided the Color Guard. President Moez Limayem shared remarks as well as keynote speaker Dr. Valerie Morrison, who was named the Faculty/Staff Veteran of the Year at UNF. Morrison serves at the Director of Student Health Services. She retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain after 30 years of service, having worked in a number of leadership positions including Chief Nursing Officer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.For the 2022 fall semester, the MVRC boasts the largest enrollment in its history — 1,670 military-connected students. In addition to military students, this number also includes spouses and dependents of veterans and active duty personnel. As part of the week's events, the MVRC displayed a flag for each military-connected student on The Green.
Established on UNF’s campus in 2009, the MVRC assists students with their Veteran Affairs (VA) educational benefits and provides resources for personal and professional development. The Center serves as a hub for veterans, active duty military and military-connected students where they receive free printing services, job assistance, networking opportunities, counseling support and more.“It’s a place where veterans can come and get a free cup of coffee, study and have a place they can go between classes,” says Bob Buehn, the Center’s director. Buehn, a 30-year veteran who served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, knows the challenges veterans face adjusting to civilian life. Since becoming the MVRC’s director five years ago, he’s seen the enrollment grow and enjoys the impact the Center has on the lives of its members.
“It’s great to be a part of a veteran’s transition from their time in uniform to academics to getting a degree that leads them to a new career,” Buehn said.
Learn more about the MVRC.
After being postponed due to Hurricane Ian, the 2022 º£½ÇÉçÇøAnnual Fall Convocation will now be held Friday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. in the Lazzara Performance Hall, Fine Arts Building.
Three entrepreneurs were recently awarded a total of $10,000 as part of the Swisher Growth Cohort for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs hosted by º£½ÇÉçÇø’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) in partnership with Swisher International.
The º£½ÇÉçÇøgraduate student and volleyball standout persevered through a cancer diagnosis in late 2017 and an ACL injury in 2021 to find her way back to the court and the classroom.
Starting a new chapter at UNF
Leshare Demps is a student success coach with º£½ÇÉçÇøOnline and a past Presidential SPOT Award winner. She has a passion for education and has served in a multitude of educational settings. Before joining º£½ÇÉçÇøOnline in 2020, she served as an admissions coordinator, responsible for onboarding first-time-in-college and transfer students.
MOCA Jacksonville is the longest continually operating visual arts organization in Jacksonville. Since opening in 1924 as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society, it has been committed to the art, artists and ideas of its time, and is recognized as a vibrant cultural resource for Northeast Florida. MOCA joined º£½ÇÉçÇøas a cultural institute in 2009, serving as a bridge from campus to downtown. It has survived the Great Depression, the Great Recession and much more. 
‘Spin: Amy Bennion Beecham and John Bennion’
Lawson Ensemble
Thankful at the Osprey Café
Milestones
North Florida Athletics has upgraded the lighting systems at multiple facilities on campus. º£½ÇÉçÇøpartnered with Graybar and NGU Sports Lighting, LLC for the upgrades. The º£½ÇÉçÇøArena, Harmon Stadium (baseball), º£½ÇÉçÇøSoftball Complex and º£½ÇÉçÇøTennis Complex all received lighting upgrades, taking on more energy efficient LED lighting systems. Learn more .