OGDEN -- Many veterans on the path to higher education share certain struggles.
Many haven't been to school in years, some are low-income, and others are first-generation college students. The Veterans Upward Bound program lets these veterans know they are not alone and provides them with services that will help them succeed in school and find a career they can enjoy.
The Weber State University Veterans Upward Bound held an open house Thursday to honor veterans and to showcase the program's new home in Annex 12 on the main campus.
"Mostly, we've just been trying to honor veterans and let people know about our facility," said Donna Rigby, director of Veterans Upward Bound.
Veterans Upward Bound moved into its new space in March and was finally ready to showcase it for the community.
"It's finally all come together," she said. "It takes a long time."
A short program recognizing veterans was held Thursday afternoon, when WSU President Ann Millner and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, each thanked veterans for their service and spoke on the importance of education for veterans.
"Education is becoming more and more significant as we are going forward," Bishop said, adding that he was a first-generation college graduate like many veterans who participate in Veterans Upward Bound. "Education is also one of those things that broadens our horizons, broadens our perspectives and makes us a more well-rounded individual."
Millner thanked the veterans for their service.
"Each of you has paid a very personal price for your patriotism," she said. "It's very difficult to measure what that price has been to you personally. Or to really measure what the impact is for all of us, in terms of freedom and the quality of life that we all enjoy each and every day that we often take for granted."
Rigby said the program focuses on helping veterans who are low-income or first-generation students, as well as students called to active duty after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
The grant-funded federal program helps veterans by providing academic and career assessment testing, advising and referral services, and academic assistance through tutoring in math, English and computer literacy.
"They know the transitions military people have to go through," said Alicia Mathews, a Veterans Upward Bound participant who served in the Air Force. "They know what challenges we face. Some of us are older. We're not right out of high school, and some of us have kids."
The program is funded to serve 120 students a year, but Rigby said it often serves more. All services are provided at the main campus, with some additional English tutoring available at the Davis campus.
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