student veterans

Hometown Hero – John DeGorge

United States Army ROTC Cadet John DeGeorge was born in New York City and calls Middletown, New York home. John enlisted in the Army in 2019 completing basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia, becoming an 11 Charlie, Indirect Fire Infantryman. He served on active duty from 2019 to 2024, achieving the rank of Sergeant.

His first duty assignment was with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment – The Wolfhounds – located in Schofield Barracks Hawaii. He deployed on several multinational military exercises to the Philippines, working alongside partner forces from New Zealand and Thailand. While stationed in Hawaii, John met and married his wife, Sara, in Honolulu on August 20th, 2022, and they recently welcomed their first son, JJ, on June 14th of this year.

In 2024, John was selected for a three-year Green to Gold Scholarship, chose to attend Syracuse University, and join the university’s Stalwart Battalion Army ROTC program. Today, John is a senior studying Information Management and Technology with a Minor in History. He is on track to graduate in the spring of 2027 and earn his commission as an Army Second Lieutenant.

His proudest moment in the military was earning his Expert Infantryman Badge, a special skills badge in the U.S. Army awarded to personnel who demonstrate mastery of critical infantry and warfighting fundamentals.

Coded for Excellence: Jurgen Baeza Bernal ’26

Jurgen Baeza Bernal ’26 traveled a circuitous path to Syracuse University, but he’s finally cracked the code on what his future holds. Before arriving, the California native explored an array of interests at San Diego State University, served nearly seven years in the U.S. Navy and possessed a longtime fascination with computer coding. “When I was a teenager, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” he says. “But as I grew older and the military instilled discipline in me and gave me a sense of direction, I knew I should focus on what I wanted to do and my education when I got out.”

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Music City Welcomes 16th Annual Conference for Student Veterans

Before the start of the spring semester, members of Syracuse University’s military-connected community, including students, faculty and staff, journeyed to Tennessee for the 16th Annual Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference (NATCON).

Meet John Nipper: Student and Veterans Advocate at Syracuse University

John Nipper is a master’s student at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. He serves as the president of the Student Veterans Organization, offering unique insights into the university experience. As he discusses the abundant resources, dedicated advisors, and specialized programs, Nipper emphasizes how Syracuse University equips student veterans for a successful transition from military service to higher education.

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Announces Spring Scholarships for Military-Connected Students

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 OVMA Spring Scholarships. Funded entirely by the generosity of donors, these scholarships support the broad community of military-connected students at Syracuse University. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, and most are specifically focused to support select groups of military-connected students.

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