Reflections Magazine Issue #74 - Spring 2011 | Page 7

Campus Feature

Serving Those Who Serve
Event Connected Veterans
to Employers and Resources

S

erving those who have served our
country—that was the intent of the inaugural Operation SERVE Veterans Day Opportunity Expo on Nov. 11, 2010, at Siena
Heights University.
SHU, in partnership with South Central
Michigan Works, Michigan Institute of
Aviation and Technology and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic
Growth, conducted the job and resource
event that invited our veterans—and
those in the community looking for jobs
—to talk with employers and learn about
available programs and resources.
Major General Robert W. Smith III, USAR
(retired, above right) was the keynote
speaker at the noon ceremony of Thanks
and Remembrance honoring those
veterans who have served our country.
General Smith recently accepted the
appointment as director of the Veterans’
Services Division, Bureau of Workforce
Transformation, Michigan Department
of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.
During his keynote speech, he talked
about making sure our veterans—some
who have paid the ultimate sacrifice—
have a chance to succeed in society once
they return from serving our country.
He said events like Operation SERVE
are a big help in the process.

Right: The inaugural
Operation SERVE Veterans
Day Expo at SHU allowed local
veterans and job seekers to
meet with potential employers,
and learn about available
programs and resources.

“It was very well-organized,” General
Smith said of Operation SERVE, which
had nearly 60 employers, education and
service providers attend. “There was a
lot of energy from the employers saying
they are glad to be here and it was worth
their time being here. My employees are
in charge of helping put these types of
events together. This was an outstanding
event, and I was honored to be here.”
Participants were offered an opportunity
to attend one of the Boot Camp workshops offered around the region prior to
the job fair. Topics that were discussed
included first impressions, basic interview skills, attire, navigating the job fair
and resume critiques.
More than 200 people, including many
veterans, attended the inaugural event,
according to Melissa Growden ’90, director of Siena Heights Career Services and
Operation SERVE chairperson.
“The event was an outstanding example
of being part of something larger than
yourself,” Growden said. “We were pleased
to honor and serve our veterans in this
way. And this event also benefited those
in our community as well as our students.
Being abl