CAGOW 20152014 Group of the Year: Dartmouth Uniformed Service Alumni

Dedication and persistence are the words that come to mind when considering the newly formed Dartmouth Uniformed Service Alumni (DUSA) shared interest group.

After two years of hard work and planning, DUSA was officially launched in November 2013 with a weekend of programming in Hanover. During the weekend, they awarded Brigadier General Burke Whitman '78 the inaugural James Wright Award for Distinguished Service. In collaboration with various campus departments, DUSA made it possible to honor General Whitman at the home football game with both President Philip J. Hanlon '77 and President Emeritus James Wright in attendance.

DUSA leaders have worked tirelessly and with great enthusiasm to establish and strengthen the organization. They are intentional in their actions and always explore opportunities to grow the organization. DUSA leaders seek suggestions and feedback from the board, group members, and College staff, always asking insightful questions in order to firmly establish this young organization.

In its first official year, DUSA established important annual events, most notably at Commencement and on Veterans Day, with an eye towards engaging members within the larger Dartmouth community. As evidenced by its annual Commencement weekend reception for graduating veterans and ROTC participants, as well as its financial support of the Admission's Office's Veteran Fly-In Program, DUSA is committed to supporting veteran students and partnering to encourage veterans to consider a Dartmouth education.

DUSA has built a robust network of alumni service members across the globe, making a conscious effort to connect with alumni service members who may not otherwise be engaged with the College. Importantly, they ensure that the Dartmouth community hears veteran alumni voices. We look forward to seeing DUSA's continued growth in strength, vision, and numbers.