University of South Carolina Aiken Hosts Inaugural Coining Ceremony for Veteran and Military-Connected Students

Aiken, SC (08/20/2021) — The University of South Carolina Aiken's (UofSC Aiken) Office of Veteran and Military Student Success (VMSS) hosted the inaugural VMSS Coining Ceremony on Wednesday, August 18, at the Nat Stetson Circle on the university campus.

Speakers at the event included Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor, Robert A. Murphy, director of the Office of VMSS, and Jessica Molidor, program coordinator for the Office of VMSS.

The coining ceremony was open to all UofSC Aiken veteran and military-connected students. To receive a UofSC Aiken VMSS Challenge Coin, students were required to make a public commitment to graduate, complete a program of study, or commit to a goal/initiative within higher education. Dr. Heimmermann received the first coin.

The challenge coin has been a long-standing custom within the United States Military. To be presented a coin is to be recognized as a vital part of a unit or group. The coin itself represents camaraderie and unit cohesion.

This year, once again, UofSC Aiken earned high praise from Military Times, which ranked them among institutions that are "best for vets." For four years, the university remained at number 97, placing them in the top 100 universities in the nation. With the 2021 rankings, the university shot up to number 52, placing them alongside the top-tier universities nationally. UofSC Aiken remains ranked first in South Carolina.

UofSC Aiken has also been named to the 2021-2022 list of Military Friendly Schools, a designation reserved for institutions that have demonstrated a clear commitment to programs that improve the lives of veterans. UofSC Aiken has been recognized for several years and scored 100 percent in each category for the 2021-2022 cycle.

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