December Newsletter

As we head into the final stretch for the Fall Semester, the Office of Student Veterans wants to wish you the best of luck as you finish out your last set of papers, projects, and exams. We also want to congratulate those who are graduating from Duke this semester, and wish you the best of luck on the next stages of your journey! If you are graduating this semester, continue reading to see details on how to receive your graduation cord.

With the holidays quickly approaching, we want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to continuing to support and engage with our community, and the beginning of a new year!

Warm regards,

The Duke Student Veterans Office

S. Clay Adams, Assistant Vice President
Dalton Dey, Assistant Director
Chandler Cole, Graduate Assistant
Chase Pikarsky, Graduate Assistant

Duke Chapel Climb

The Duke Office of Student Veterans will be hosting a Duke Chapel Tower Climb on Monday, December 16th from 1300 to 1400. Climbs will begin at 1300 and 1330. Drop by for the opportunity to climb to the top of the Duke Chapel tower. There will be coffee and snacks provided.

Student veterans are welcome to bring a guest, but they must be sixteen years of age or older. All participants must wear close-toed shoes and will be required to fill out a waiver on-site. We encourage participants to view the waiver ahead of time at this link. Tower climbs may be canceled or rescheduled in cases of rain/snow, stormy weather, and temperatures below 40 degrees. If we cancel the climb, we will email the community as soon as possible.

We will also have graduation cords available for those graduating this semester in attendance.

Graduation Cords

If you are graduating this semester but cannot attend the Chapel Climb and would like to request a graduation cord, please email the Office of Student Veterans to arrange a time to pick them up in person. Remote students can send us an address where you would like your cords mailed.

If you are graduating next spring or summer, please wait until next year to request cords so we can ensure our December graduates get priority in receiving them.

Join the Duke Military Alumni Network

Military-affiliated graduates are invited to join the Duke Military Alumni Network. This affinity group allows Duke graduates to connect, engage with each other, and continue building their network after graduation.

To learn more about, and to join the Duke Military Alumni Network, visit https://alumni.duke.edu/groups/duke-military-alumni-network.

Either Create your Duke OneLink account OR click on "Register/Sign In" if you have already created your OneLink account
Please note: To update your profile, join the Duke Military Alumni Network, and access the alumni directory, you need to create/sign in with your OneLink account
In the navy blue header, select "Groups" and then "Affinity Groups"
Click "Duke Military Alumni Network
Click the "Join Group" button

ICYMI: Military Mentors in a College Classroom

In case you missed it, The Duke Daily featured an article from the Sanford School of Public Policy and Duke's Counterterrorism Fellowship. In conjunction with the Program in American Grand Strategy, this initiative prepares students and military officers to tackle complex, global challenges. The program is designed to bring real-world experiences into the classroom, build mentorship relationships, and establish community both inside and outside the classroom.

Check it out here: https://sanford.duke.edu/story/military-mentors-college-classroom/

Duke Research Study for U.S. Veterans

The Duke Behavioral Health and Technology Lab under the Duke Medical Center, School of Psychiatry would like to share information about a new study regarding U.S. Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are conducting a study to find better ways to help U.S. Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who want to reduce or quit drinking alcohol. They are comparing two different types of behavioral therapy that may help you drink less and feel better.

If you choose to join, you will visit the research lab twice over about 3 months: At the start of the study and about 3 months later (then your part in the study ends).

You will also have eight weekly 1-hour therapy sessions to help you reduce or quit drinking, and to improve your PTSD symptoms. These sessions are online, using Duke Zoom. They will also use GPS technology to measure progress.

There is no cost to join this study, and you will be reimbursed for your time.

If you are interested or want to learn more, please click this link: http://bit.ly/dbhtlvet. You'll let them know a good time to call you. Signing up doesn't mean you have to join the study or that you're definitely eligible. It only means you are interested in hearing more.

If you have questions, please contact 919-681-1613 or dbhtl@duke.edu.

Questions about Financial Assistance and Veteran Benefits?

The VA Education Benefits Coordinator in the Office of the University Registrar is happy to assist you with any questions regarding:

GI Bill
Yellow Ribbon
Chapter 31 Benefits
Chapter 35 Benefits
Tuition Assistance
VA Benefits

Questions can be directed to veteranseducation@duke.edu.