Gratitude for our Veterans, Today and Every Day

Guest Correspondence

This month was monumental. We took time as a nation to recognize 15 years since the tragedy that took place on September 11. Moments like these bring up memories and evoke emotions—particularly those of remembrance, compassion, community and gratitude. We are thankful for our freedoms, our comforts and our safety. And most of all, we are grateful for the Americans who make these luxuries a possibility, the brave members of the United States Armed Forces.

Ringling College of Art and Design is proud of our 22 student veterans and 42 students of veteran families. We are forever thankful for their service to their country and their fellow Americans. They have made undeniable sacrifices in support of the nation, and it is critical that we aid in their transitions from military service to campus life to professional life and beyond. It is important that we, as a campus and community, take the time to express our appreciation and recognize the sacrifices our veterans have made for us and for the greater good.

As an art and design school, we strive to instill in our students the importance of diversity of thought and perspective. Our veteran students and dependents bring to our student body significant life experiences that shape the way they approach creativity. We believe this perspective also informs and shapes the studio work of their fellow classmates, faculty and staff.

And this isn’t a new concept for Ringling College. In fact, in 1947, the then-Ringling School became the first college in Florida to be certified for the G.I. Bill, following World War II. Today, the post-9/11 G.I. Bill will pay a certain portion of the tuition and fees to empower our veterans to obtain an education and transition into a successful civilian life. Furthermore, Ringling College and many other institutions participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program to provide even more funds to veterans in need. 

We invite our students, faculty and staff to create work that empowers and honors our veterans. Our Film faculty member, Mark Parry, created an award-winning documentary, Veterans of Color, shot on campus with the help of students. Our student television channel, ART Network, last year produced a Telly award-winning segment from about the making of this documentary for WEDU Arts Plus. Our Illustration department hosts an annual exhibition, Veteran’s Show, which invites veterans to have their portraits done by Ringling College Illustration faculty and students. This project was created by an Illustration student, and these portraits then comprise an exhibition in their honor.

Our veterans sacrifice their lives and their livelihoods to secure our futures and that of our children and children’s children. They shape our lives in ways we don’t always know, and they shape our communities. In turn, it is incumbent that we help achieve their dreams and pave the way for their future success. Veterans of the Sarasota and Manatee communities, we thank you today, and every day, for your service and your sacrifice.  

Dr. Larry R. Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art and Design.

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