Serving Those Who Served

EWU earns national recognition for its support of veterans.

Showalter Hall’s Room 122, home to the EWU Veterans Resource Center, is more than just an office. As Eastern’s home for student veterans, it’s a welcoming bridge between the military life and college, a place to come together to reestablish the camaraderie and common purpose that distinguishes those who serve in our nation’s armed services.

Now, the nation is taking notice. EWU has been named one of the Military Support Colleges of Distinction for 2025, an honor recognizing institutions that go above and beyond to support military-connected students. EWU is one of only three universities in Washington state to receive this recognition.

In their citation of Eastern and the other designees, the Colleges of Distinction organization said the recognition is meant to salute institutions working to overcome “the unique challenges military students face on college campuses” nationwide. “These institutions are proud to support and cultivate the skills that military students bring to the classroom, all while helping them achieve their personal and professional goals.”

At the heart of the center’s success are its experienced staff, who collectively have over 25 years of expertise in guiding students through the complexities of VA education benefits and Department of Defense tuition assistance.

The support goes beyond paperwork. EWU offers seven annual scholarships specifically for veterans and service members, along with several state-supported tuition waivers and a policy of granting in-state tuition for military-connected students who are not state residents. Each of these areas of support aims to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of veterans’ paths to graduation.

“The transition from military to college life can be challenging, but EWU makes it easier,” says David Millet, a former commander of EWU’s Army ROTC program who, since 2012, has served as the center’s director. “The VRC isn’t just a place to get help with benefits — it’s a community where we connect, study and support each other.”