Stetson Law announces expanded programs for veterans

Stetson University College of Law is expanding its programs for veterans this year. The college is increasing the number of Yellow Ribbon scholarships that it offers student veterans from three to 10, a new Student Veterans Organization has started this semester on campus, and a new legal assistance program for veterans is in the works.

Student Jeffrey Harvey leads a recent meeting of the Student Veterans Organization on the Gulfport campus. Photo by Steven Lacks.

Student Jeffrey Harvey leads a recent meeting of the Student Veterans Organization on the Gulfport campus. Photo by Steven Lacks.

The Tampa Bay area on the west coast of Florida is home to one of the largest concentrations of military veterans in the U.S. The need for expanded programming, including academic and legal services for both veterans and active military, is substantial.

“Veterans take an oath to support and defend the Constitution when they become members of the military. These additional scholarships will allow more veterans to continue to fulfill that oath as members of the legal profession.  It is, in a very real sense, a continuation of service to the nation,” said Professor Charles Rose, director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy at Stetson Law.

Stetson’s new expanded programs for veterans will provide law students with an opportunity to receive more scholarships, learn more about the expanding field of veterans law, and sharpen their legal skills while helping to serve the area’s growing veteran population.

“The new student organization will create a network of student veterans on campus that can provide peer support, increase awareness and participation in pro bono projects that help veterans, and provide a forum for a collaborative discussion on resolving issues that affect not only veterans, but the military and legal professions at large,” said Jeffrey Harvey, president of the Student Veterans Organization at Stetson. “One way we hope to do this by organizing events where students can learn skills like time and stress management from the military culture.”

  • Stetson Law student veteran Javier Centonzio is spearheading Heroes Weekend, a series of community events that includes a parade and musical performances in honor of the service and sacrifice of our active military and veterans, on Nov. 10, 12 and 13, on the Gulfport waterfront.

 

  • The Florida Bar and Stetson Law are co-sponsoring Veterans Law Accreditation Training for practicing lawyers from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Tampa Law Center, 1700 N. Tampa St.

 

  • Prospective students are invited to learn more about the Stetson Law experience at Law School Information Day, starting at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 12, on the Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S.

 

For more information about Stetson’s resources for veterans, including its work with the Yellow Ribbon program, please visit our Veterans Resources Page.