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Mission clarity: SU’s decades-long military legacy inspires ‘best place’ commitment to veterans

Before Syracuse University built the National Veterans Resource Center, campus leaders were striving to make the university a premier institution for veterans and military-connected students.

The gleaming, $62 million center punctuates SU’s commitment to that goal in a way that its many off-campus military endeavors do not. Its bright glass exterior, accessibility-centric design and intricate wooden interior make it stand out on Waverly Avenue.

Like most buildings, the NVRC began with a set of blueprints.

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Hometown Hero: Matthew Coyne

United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Matt Coyne was born and raised in Stony Point, New York, and attended the University of Scranton, where he commissioned through the Army ROTC program in 2006. LTC Coyne began his career as a Military Police Platoon Leader, deploying to Eastern Afghanistan in 2007 with the 546th Military Police Company, Fort Stewart, Georgia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following his deployment, LTC Coyne served in multiple operational assignments, including the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, where he deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2010.

Hometown Hero: Andrew Zeller

United States Army Sergeant First Class Andrew Zellar was born in Syracuse, New York, and he was raised in Cazenovia, New York. A lifelong resident of New York, Sergeant First Class Zellar enlisted in the New York Army National Guard as a Military Policeman in 2006.

Hometown Hero: Joseph Raffa

United States Air Force Lt Col Joseph Raffa was born and raised in Oswego, New York. He graduated Mexico High School in 2003 and attended Syracuse University from 2003 – 2007, where he commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through Syracuse University’s Detachment 535 Air Force ROTC program. Joe met his wife Angela while both were attending Syracuse University, and they were married in Hendricks Chapel on May 26, 2007. They have three sons: Joseph Jr., Vincent, and Dominic.

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Hometown Hero: Devon Hubbard

United States Army Captain Devon Hubbard hails from Chicago, Illinois. In 2016, Captain Hubbard was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corps from Mercyhurst University.

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