Chico State Honors Campus and Community Veterans with Events This Month

Chico State will host two events in November to honor and recognize veterans and their sacrifices, while providing support and resources for future student veterans.

On Wednesday, November 3, the University will host its annual Honoring Our Veterans celebration, a program that brings voices of campus and community veterans together. Sponsored by the Office of Veterans Affairs and the Student Veterans Organization (SVO), the event will take place in Colusa Hall, Room 100, and is free and open to the public. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the ceremony will run from noon to 2 p.m.

After opening remarks from US Air Force Veteran and Veteran Education Transition Services Program Coordinator Larry Langwell (Construction Management, ’96; MA, Business Administration, ’15), the Chico Veterans Honor Guard, led by Gary Imhoff, will provide the Presentation of Colors. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem will be performed by the Chico Community Band and led by Ellen Pastorino.

Speakers include US National Guard veteran, SVO President and business administration major Jessica Eagles; faculty in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice John Crosby (MA, Political Science, ’06); and US Navy veteran and Associate Vice President of Facilities and Capital Projects Mike Guzzi (Civil Engineering, ’02), who will also conduct a special cake-cutting ceremony. After Langwell offers closing remarks, a reception will follow.

“Events such as these are critically important not only for honoring our students and employees who are veterans, but also for demonstrating Chico State’s continued support for the entire military community,” Guzzi said. “Watching the Color Guard walk through with the service flags flown and military hymns playing is something I look forward to every year.”

Additionally, the University will host the fourth annual Hoorah Run/Walk on Thursday, November 11 at 8 a.m. Hosted by Chico State’s Facilities Management and Services (FMS) and the Wildcat Recreation Center (WREC), the event begins in front of Kendall Hall and will wind through the scenic University campus. Registration is $20, and proceeds benefit Chico State veteran students.

Chico State is a nationally recognized leader in serving those who served our country, having been named a 2020–21 Military-Friendly School by the organization Military Friendly. Additionally, GI Jobs has listed the University as a Military-Friendly School every year since 2010 and Military Advanced Education has listed Chico State as one of its top schools six times since 2010.

And most recently, the University was recognized by US News & World Report’s national collegiate rankings. Chico State tied for No. 17 on the magazine’s list of Best Colleges for Veterans – Regional Universities West.

To consider giving to the University’s Veteran Education Transition Services, please visit Chico State’s Giving Page.

Those who require an accommodation in order to attend Honoring Our Veterans, participate in the Hoorah Run or who have questions about accessibility may contact the Accessibility Resource Center at 530-898-5959.