Steve Swain attended Leading Transformation, Changing the Landscape of Higher Education, aimed at working with military veterans. This event was the 3rd annual meeting of Operation Diploma, which is an initiative of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. One interesting session was presented by J. Michael Haynie, Ph.D., executive director for the Institute for Veterans & Military Families at Syracuse University. He spoke about the Entrepreneur Bootcamps for Veterans with Disabilities, which he established.
Swain also attended another event concerning working with military veterans, the Battlemind to Home II Symposium sponsored by the Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. The symposium's aim was to increase community awareness of the challenges military families face when service members return home, and educate attendees about the mental health concerns, legal options, and support services available to veterans in the community. Topics included chronic pain issues, homelessness, employment and academic reintegration, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and legal issues for veterans. Both events provided opportunities to network and increase understanding of the issues affecting veterans.
Submitted by Steve Swain
The new Indiana AgrAbility Advisory Team met at Purdue University for their inaugural session of the new USDA grant. Approximately 25 advisory team members, AgrAbility staff members, and guests attended the meeting, which focused on orienting new members to AgrAbility and discussing the year's work plan.
Submitted by Paul Jones