Student Veterans Association celebrates U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday

The Liberty University Student Veterans Association gathered in the Veterans Center on Monday, Oct. 13, to honor the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday, where they held a cake cutting ceremony, shared memories from their military service, and built community with fellow service members and veterans.

A chapter of Student Veterans of America, the association is a student-led group focusing on serving the Liberty community by organizing events that foster a culture of camaraderie, mentorship, and educational success among veterans on campus. The Veterans Center is a popular space on the second floor of the Montview Student Union where service members and veterans can study, rest, socialize, and receive information, resources, and support from staff.

Together, the SVA and Veterans Center hosted Monday’s event, starting with the cake-cutting ceremony, a longstanding tradition to celebrate the Navy’s birthday. The oldest and the youngest sailor who are present gather and cut a piece of cake together. The oldest sailor gets the first slice and then hands a piece to the youngest, representing the passing of wisdom down to the younger generation.

“It’s not about rank; it’s about history, and our youth represent our future history,” said United States Navy Rear Adm. (Ret.) Tony Cothron, associate professor of government and director of National Security and Intelligence Programs. “We respect those who have served for a long time, but we also respect and appreciate those who have just joined.” Cothron has taught at Liberty since 2021. He was the 62nd director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) in the Pentagon, with other assignments that included the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Following his career in government, Cothron spent 12 years in the defense industry.

After the cake cutting, Cothron asked the student veterans who served in the Navy to share about their favorite day in the service. He also shared his own, recalling the day in 1991 when he returned from the Gulf War and saw his wife and child on the pier waiting for him.

“Asking (the student veterans) about their favorite day was definitely a God moment,” Cothron said. “It was my favorite part of the celebration because I got to see sailors and hear their stories.”

Liberty’s Office of Military Affairs opened the Veterans Center in Fall 2016 and expanded the space in 2019. The center connects student veterans to resources both on and off campus, including military benefits, counseling, and disability claims. The space includes a lounge for student veterans to connect with one another as well as with faculty, staff, and community residents who serve as their mentors.

“Liberty is a great choice for our military students,” said Veterans Center Supervisor and U.S. Air Force veteran Donna Kerelejza. “(Military students) have support from the office and student groups, such as the Student Veterans Association, who plan events like this.”

Vice President of SVA and United States Marine Corps Cpl. Ethan Maltby, a senior studying digital media and journalism, said he’s found that Liberty strives to make veterans and military students feel welcome and involved on campus.

“(Student veterans) are a very niche group of people, and it’s really hard to cater to everyone.” Maltby said. “But Liberty does a good job at supporting us.”

Thanks to groups like the SVA and their commitment to serving others, the student veteran community is steadily growing at Liberty, Cothron said, and he is looking forward to seeing how God continues to work through their efforts.

“God has a mission for us,” Cothron said. “And our military needs Champions for Christ.”

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, the month of November will be filled with military-focused events, such as the Mike Donahue Memorial 5-Miler on Nov. 8, Military Appreciation Football Game and halftime show on Nov. 8, the Veterans Appreciation Reception on Nov. 12, Military Appreciation Convocation on Nov. 14, the LU MURPH Challenge on Nov. 15, and American Red Cross Blood Drive on Nov. 19 and 20.

“Veterans are an important part of our Liberty community, and we want to recognize their efforts and sacrifice,” said Kerelejza. “By taking part in events like these, students and faculty can continue to support students who have already given so much in service to their country.”

Veterans Center and Office of Military Affairs staff are available to assist military and veteran students on campus with processing their military educational benefits, liaising with other LU departments for military-related issues, and connecting to the on-campus military student community. Students have the option to either visit the Veterans Center, or contact our Military Affairs staff via phone, chat, and email. Military student visit locations are also available at the Hancock Welcome Center and Student Service Center. For more information, visit Liberty.edu/military/contact.