The Catholic University of America has again been designated a Military Friendly® School .
Military Friendly announced the honor March 7, and awarded the University a Silver ranking as a tier-two research institution.
Stephan Murphy, the University’s associate dean of undergraduate admissions and ROTC program director, said, “It is an honor, but we are constantly looking for improvement. We seek to become the premier destination for military affiliated students within higher education.”
Murphy said the Military Friendly honor came after an external review of admissions, retention and career placement metrics, and an examination of policies and student programs.
The student body at the University includes 82 veterans, 44 ROTC cadets/midshipmen and nine students currently serving in the military. In addition, the faculty and staff include 10 veterans and two members who are currently serving as military reservists.
“Military-affiliated students bring a diversity of experiences to our classrooms and our campus life,” Murphy said.
There is a historical connection between the University and the military. The campus is built near the site of a former Civil War fort (Fort Slemmer) and is adjacent to the Armed Forces Retirement Home, which was founded before the Civil War as The Old Soldiers Home, a retirement home for veterans.
Murphy said the list of notable military alumni includes nine admirals, three generals, one Medal of Honor recipient (Rev.. Emil Kapaun), and the most highly decorated chaplain in the history of the U.S. Army (Rev. Francis Duffy).
The bond continues today, as the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services (OMVSS) serves as the on-campus “synchronization point” for military-affiliated students from application to graduation.
Murphy said OMVSS provides a wide variety of student support programming, including leading a military affiliated student orientation, career advising, and leading on-campus networking events with the campus student organization, CUA Homefront.
“I am especially proud of the holistic advising and logistical support that OMVSS provides to ensure ROTC student success,” Murphy said. “Catholic University was also recently chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to host the Washington, D.C. Veterans Upward Bound program, whose mission is to assist veterans help transition from military life to academia through free tutoring and counseling.”
See more at Rankings and Recognitions and Military Admissions.