From Sailor to Student

The chance at a college education moved Ashlee Swanson ’27 to enlist and serve seven years in the U.S. Navy, but the transition from work in military cryptology to attending classes as a 25-year-old University of Maryland freshman was a challenge, she says.

But thanks to help from UMD’s Veteran Student Life office, the electrical and computer engineering student has met study partners, made friends and found her footing. Now, as vice president of the TerpVets student organization, she’s helping others do the same.

“It’s been a personal mission of mine to ensure that other veterans don’t have to experience the challenges and difficulties that I faced,” she said. “We all want to succeed, and I’d love to help people do that.”

Join Maryland veterans and friends and families to celebrate their contributions and sacrifices to the nation on campus Monday at Memorial Chapel:

Veteran Voices: 12:30 p.m.

Current and former members of the TerpVets will share their stories of service at with a musical backdrop provided by the Mighty Sound of Maryland and the University of Maryland Jazz Quintet. A festive lunch—including veteran-themed ice cream—will follow in the Chapel's new Listening Garden. Learn more at stamp.umd.edu/VetVoices.

View the livestream at stamp.umd.edu/VetVoicesLive.

Veterans Day Vigil: 2-3 p.m.

ROTC cadets will stand at attention on the front steps of the Memorial Chapel in honor of fallen UMD veterans for one hour. The National Moment of Silence for Veterans Day will be commemorated with the playing of taps at 2:11 p.m.