Hundreds Gather to Celebrate Student Veterans at Annual Military Ball

An American tradition dating back to the 19^th century, this year’s black tie event featured a special tribute to the late Dean Emeritus of the Columbia University School of General Studies, Peter J. Awn. During his 20-year tenure, Awn built an unmatched legacy recruiting and supporting veterans at the School, which today enrolls more than 500 veterans pursuing a traditional Ivy League undergraduate degree.

In honor of this legacy, a final roll call ceremony was performed by past and current members of the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets), representing the decades of commitment and support from Awn to the military. Rachel Ballew, President-elect of MilVets, then presented Awn’s family with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol for his lifetime of dedication to United States service members and veterans in their education, transition, and integration.

Later in the evening, Vice Dean Curtis Rodgers was honored with the Peter J. Awn Lifetime Service Award by members of MilVets. The award honors a lifetime of outstanding support for military veterans and service members.

“We have at the School General Studies the fortune to have a fantastic Dean, Lisa Rosen-Metsch, who stepped into the role as an alumna, and who is as dedicated to our mission as Peter Awn was. Thank you from the bottom my heart for recognizing me for this work that I've been I've been called to, but I have to ask one thing—be there with me as we go forward because there are so many great accomplishments ahead and so much more work to be done,” Rodgers said.

The experiences Rodgers has had working with military service members and veterans over the last 20 years led to his founding, along with Dean Peter J. Awn, the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration at Columbia University.

“We are going to realize the very ideas upon which the Center was founded and the very ideals that embody what it means to be a student at GS,” Rodgers said.

The award was presented by Mark Franklin ’19, former President of MilVets, and Michael Abrams, Executive Director of the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.

“Look around the room at all of the veteran students and alumni who are here. Look at all the veterans who have been given an opportunity to receive a world-class education and reach their potential. They are here tonight because of you,” Abrams said. “We can all serve our country in meaningful ways. On behalf of all the veterans in this room tonight, Curtis, thank you for your service.”

The event was co-hosted by Columbia Veterans, U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University, the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and the Columbia University School of General Studies.

You may view photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Save the Date! The 2020 Military Ball will be held on March 27, 2020.