Kettering University is a “Military Friendly School,” according to an announcement Aug. 17 by G.I. Jobs.  The national list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.

Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools.  The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.  The 2010 Military-Friendly School List can be found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/mfspr

Frank Hribar, vice president of Enrollment Services at Kettering, said it was an honor for Kettering to be included in the exclusive list.  “It comes at a time when tens of billions of dollars are now available in tuition money through the recent passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Kettering is pleased to be recognized for its abilities to assist our dedicated veterans as they return to the classroom.” 

Kettering graduate student – Petty Officer Second Class Emmanuel Baluyot, Storekeeper (SW) who is currently serving in the U.S. Navy – agreed that Kettering should be on the select list.  “Being enrolled at Kettering University inspires and motivates me to achieve my goals; to acquire more knowledge and to enhance my personal values through education and to become successful in my profession, said Baluyot, who hopes to graduate in 2011.

“I have an accredited foreign degree from Far Eastern University -East Asia College in Manila, Philippines, a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Science with a major in Systems and Software Engineering. Through Kettering University, I am able to pursue my postgraduate education.”

Baluyot is an MBA student at Kettering, with an Information Technology concentration.  He just returned from an eight-month deployment in the Middle East and Africa.  His ship, the USS Comstock, is back in its home-port station at the naval base in San Diego.

“The Distance Learning Graduate Programs of Kettering gave me the opportunity to choose a suitable ‘career booster’ program,” he said.  “During this last deployment, I was able to finish MGMT-639 or Managing People and Organization with a course grade of A.  That’s thanks to the flexibility of the program and the assistance of my professor, Dr. Beverly Jones (Business Dept.). Special mention to Mary Sue Holmes (Graduate Studies) for taking care of my study materials.”

Baluyot also credits the assistance he received from staff members in Enrollment Services.  “Although at first I was having some challenges and inquiries on how to meet the procedures of Kettering University with the requirements of the GI Bill, a lot of people from admissions and financial aid helped me to overcome those challenges. I also approached the VA department of Kettering University. I hope more research will be done in understanding how the GI Bill works and the ways more customer service connections will help make things happen on campus.”   

Rich McCormack, publisher of G.I. Jobs, said the list is especially important now because the recently enacted Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they’re academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”

Institutions on the Military Friendly Schools list also offer additional benefits to student veterans such as on-campus veterans programs, credit for service, military spouse programs and more.

The list was compiled through exhaustive research starting last May during which G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) consisting of educators and administrators from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Toledo, Duquesne University, Coastline Community College and Lincoln Technical Institute.

A full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in September. A new Web site, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, will launch in September with interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans in choosing schools that best meet their educational needs.

 Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.

ABOUT G.I. Jobs: G.I. Jobs (www.gijobs.com) is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa. The company also publishes The Guide to Military Friendly Schools, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines and annually rates the nation’s “Military Friendly Employers,” “Military Spouse Friendly Employers” and “Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned businesses.

Written by Pat Mroczek and G.I. Jobs sources
810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu