Veteran support grows at NAU

World War II glider pilots star in professor’s book Professor emeritus J. Norman Grim, who taught biology at NAU from 1967 to 2004, returns to campus with lessons about World War II glider pilots. Grim will sign copies of his book, To Fly the Gentle Giants: The Training of U.S. World War II Glider Pilots, from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the NAU Bookstore. Grim, who directed NAU’s Electron Microscope Facility, is a pilot of both powered airplanes and sailplanes (gliders) and has flown more than 26,000 feet above sea level in a sailplane. Grim has earned the international Gold Soaring Badge. Also signing books Nov. 18 is Flagstaff author and Grand Canyon historian Don Lago, who will sign copies of his numerous books, including Starchild;The Human Meanings of the Big Bang Cosmos; Grand Canyon Trivia and On the Viking Trail.

As the number of veterans continues to grow, so does Northern Arizona University’s commitment to meet their needs.

That’s why NAU is teaming up with the Northern Arizona Veteran Support Community, a network of resourceful people assisting returning veterans in achieving their goals and transitioning to life back within their communities.

“Significant numbers of veterans are looking to complete their educational goals and we need to have support in place to meet their needs,” said Chris Gunn, director of NAU’s Counseling Center.

Veteran status is self-reported so the number of reported veterans attending NAU is not complete. But based on 2009 NAU admission applications, about 520 undergraduate veterans and about 265 graduate veterans currently are enrolled at the university.

NAU Office of Student Financial Aid processes veteran’s educational benefits for veteran students. Located in the Gammage Building, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and can be contacted by calling (928) 523-4931 or by e-mailing, FinAid-Vet@nau.edu.

The Northern Arizona Veteran Support Community network includes representatives from NAU, veteran groups, public and private health-care agencies, Coconino Community College, peace groups, the Veterans Administration and retired citizens.

The network identifies existing agencies and resources for help with housing, employment, education, health care, behavioral health, financial assistance, legal aid, social activities and volunteer opportunities. Veterans in the network also are kept in the loop for evolving information that could help them tap into available resources.