Reference Point

88 Steve Rellinger, director of the CMU Veterans' Resource Center, shares one of his favorite quotes: "A veteran, whether active duty, discharged, retired, Guard or Reserve is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America, for an amount of up to and including his or her life." He says this quote serves as a daily reminder of how important it is for CMU to do all it can to meet the needs of these veterans. There are approximately 700 veterans, current military personnel and their respective family members taking classes through CMU's Global Campus. In addition, there are more than 300 military veterans and their family members on campus using Veterans Administration education benefits. Recently, Rellinger met with library staff members to update them on serving the needs of student veterans. Some library staff already travel to military bases throughout the country to show students how they can best use its many services. "We have to reach out to students where they are," says Samantha Minnis, library coordinator of reference operations. "It's so important for us to get out of our buildings instead of always waiting for students to come to us." That's especially important to students who are serving on active duty, says Rebecca Hill Renirie, one of five Global Campus librarians who works with the students. "Since most of our Global Campus student veterans are housed on military bases, they're thrilled when we come all the way from CMU to visit them," Renirie says. Serving the veterans Anita Gordon Library senior specialist clerk, resource sharing • Served in Women's Army Corp., 1975-1978 • Field medic, stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C. Gordon was 18 when she enlisted shortly after graduating from high school in Leslie, Mich. She went straight from the service to CMU, where her education was free, thanks to the GI Bill. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1986 and a master's degree in 1988. "I went from a graduating class of 99 to becoming part of a massive machine," she jokes. "I've learned to live with different types of people from all over the world." Veterans on duty Mike Green Library student employee, access services monitor • Served in U.S. Marines, 2006-2010 • Ammunition explosives technician Green headed for the Marines after graduation from high school in St. Ignace, Mich. After boot camp in San Diego he headed to Alabama and North Carolina before deploying for two nine-month tours in Iraq. "My mindset wasn't ready for college, and I wanted to commit myself to a cause that was greater than myself," says Green, a sport management major. "I've learned how to communicate and pay great attention to detail. The Marines has made me a much better leader." Library services make an easier life for student veterans By Terri Finch Hamilton, '83 M ike Green, center

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