July Newsletter

As we begin to enter the dog days of summer, the Office of Student Veterans is reaching out to introduce our two new graduate assistants as well as invite you to attend an upcoming joint webinar with the Duke Military Alumni Network.

We hope you are staying safe in the heat and finding ways to relax with family and friends before the start of another fall semester at Duke. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you and connect with campus resources to best serve you.

The Duke Office of Student Veterans

Clay, Dalton, Arty, and Karl

OSV and DMA Joint Webinar

The Duke Office of Student Veterans and the Duke Military Alumni Network are hosting a joint webinar for both current and alumni military-affiliated students on Thursday, 31 July 25, from 1400 to 1500.

This webinar will include high-level updates on the work our office has done over the past year, feature a Q&A panel with current Duke students, and preview goals for the coming year. We will also have representation from the Duke Military Alumni Network to share more about partnerships and how you can stay connected with Duke after graduation.

To register to attend the webinar, click here.

This webinar will be recorded, and a link will be shared afterwards.

We hope to see you there!

Introducing Our New Graduate Assistants!

We have two new introductions of graduate students who will be joining the OSV office this year! Read on to meet Arty Baglai and Karl Thoreson.

Arty is a Graduate Student Assistant currently enrolled in Duke University’s Cybersecurity Program. Originally from Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, he brings a multicultural perspective shaped by his diverse experiences. Arty served in the United States Army as a Surgical Technician for four years, during which his roles in healthcare and support sparked a lasting passion for helping others.

He completed his undergraduate studies in Computer Science and Information Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Arty speaks four languages and is always eager to learn more, finding fulfillment in connecting across cultures and embracing lifelong learning.

In his free time, Arty enjoys traveling, exploring new food spots, competing in capture-the-flag (CTF) challenges, and spending time with his wife, Emily, and their cat, Perci.

Karl is a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Veterans and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Global Health at the Duke Global Health Institute. Originally from Seattle, Washington, he has spent significant time abroad—including living on a sailboat in the Caribbean as a child, graduating from high school in Mexico, and volunteering in various countries.

Karl attended the University of Washington, where he also worked as a Research Scientist in the Department of Bioengineering, and at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In January 2025, he completed nearly 10 years of service in the US Army, serving in both the Infantry and Special Operations.

In his free time, Karl and his wife Erica enjoy traveling, scuba diving, skydiving, and spending time with their three rescue cats.

#VetResources Newsletter

#VetResources is a weekly newsletter for Veterans, their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors. Use the link provided below to sample the newsletter or subscribe to download a VA Welcome Kit.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVA/bulletins/3e9777c

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.