Marci Daniels, director of Cal State San Bernardino’s Veterans Success Center, stood in her office excitedly waiting for the arrival of the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union representative to present the center with a $5,000 grant on March 24.

The award, presented by Sharlyn Ruyan, retail service and sales officer for the Southwest region of the credit union’s Victorville branch, meant a lot to Daniels, who remembers what it was like when she was hired to manage the center back in 2012 and “barely had operating funds.” This is the second time the VSC has received this grant.

“I want to express our gratitude to the Alaska USA Foundation for partnering with us to create an environment where student veterans can thrive,” said Daniels, who is also the director of CSUSB’s Office of Services to Students with Disabilities.

The award will enable the center to hold three significant events in 2016-2017 that have become a symbol of honoring student veterans of the armed forces. These events have become a tradition at CSUSB since the center’s inauguration in 2012.

“These events are designed to create a family-friendly community for military affiliated students and their families so that they feel socially connected to each other and to the university,” Daniels said.

The funds will be used to sponsor “Military Appreciation Night” held each February at a Coyote basketball game; a Memorial Day ceremony in May; and a Family Thanksgiving celebration in the fall. These events have become critical and meaningful to veterans and their families.

Daniels spoke about trust and connectedness to the campus community being integral to the well-being and success for veteran students. “Celebrating military-themed holidays is an opportunity to extend gratitude and show support to U.S. troops, veterans and their families, and to acknowledge their important contributions to the well-being and safety of this country,” she said.

Jordan Gallinger, who is employed as a student assistant at the VSC, provided Ruyan with a brief tour of the VSC, demonstrating the many military displays, the amenities and the cozy lounge ambiance the center has been able to create, made possible by donations from other charitable organizations.

Gallinger, who is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, financial planning and public administration, is also president of the CSUSB Student Veterans Organization.

“Last Thanksgiving, we served a complete meal to about 80 veterans at the center and provided bagged food for their families to prepare a Thanksgiving meal,” said Gallinger.

“Many of our veteran students don’t have families nearby and are often unable to travel home for the holidays,” said Daniels. “So we create a family atmosphere here at the center and invite them to a holiday meal.”

Ruyan, impressed with the tour of the center and what it provides, said it was great to see how their funds will be used. She shared how the funds are raised to award grants to local non-profits.

“For many years there have been calendars made up of photos submitted by our employees,” said Ruyan. “Throughout the year, employees submit a variety of personal photos they’ve taken of trips or of things they’re passionate about, like nature and other landscapes.

“The photos are selected, placed in the calendar and are given as a ‘thank you’ to our members for a $5 donation. One hundred percent of proceeds go to local active duty, veterans and children’s organizations,” Ruyan said. “We also hold a fundraiser in the fall, 'Cash-for-Cans,' and use those proceeds to help local food pantries.”

Cal State San Bernardino has consistently been ranked among the top 10 campuses in the nation as a “Best for Vets” by Military Times Magazine and as a “Military Friendly” campus by GI Jobs Magazine.

For more information about how to become a sponsor of the Veterans Success Center, contact Terri Carlos, director of annual giving at (909) 537-7576, or email tcarlos@csusb.edu.

Set in the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, CSUSB is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in inland Southern California. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in

2015-2016, CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually.

For a digital image of the check presentation or for additional information about Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.