AUWCL Honors Those Who Have Served with Veterans Day Ceremony
November 13, 2018
On Monday, Nov. 12, American University Washington College of Law held a Veteran’s Day ceremony and reception in honor of those who have served and sacrificed for our nation.
The event, presented by the AUWCL Civil-Military Society with support of the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program, along with the Offices of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations, honored special guest Shawn Skelly, Commander, USN (Ret.). Skelly served 20 years as a Naval fight officer before later serving in senior positions at the Departments of Defense and Transportation during the Obama Administration. In January 2017, former President Obama appointed her to serve as a commissioner on the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.
The ceremony included a presentation of the flag by a U.S. Marine color guard and a performance of the national anthem by American University Chamber Singer Lauren French. 3L Robb Davies – U.S. Marine Corp veteran, president of Civil-Military Society, and member of the Mock Trial Honor Society – served as master of ceremonies. Speakers included Professor and Vietnam veteran Andrew Popper and Senior Associate Dean Brenda Smith.
AU has had a long history of supporting veterans, Smith told the crowd, explaining that during WWII the Veterans’ Administration contracted with AU to train regional service officers for duty throughout the country. To accommodate the growing number of veterans attending AU, the federal government built barracks-style and Quonset hut dorms on the campus.
"Today, we try to do a little better than Quonset huts. At any time we have between 20 and 30 WCL students using Veterans Administration education benefits, of which there are many types. In spring 2018, there were 24 students using veteran’s educational benefits and, as of today, they are 28 eligible students for fall 2018,” Smith said. “Some of our most illustrious graduates have been veterans, and we expect the same from you.”
Learn more about the veterans in the AU community, including Davies, here.