By Karisma Polly
Editor-in-Chief
Did you know there is a place for you and your family to go if you are a veteran at BC? Discover what you can do at the veteran’s lounge and hear what some students think about the veteran’s lounge.
The veteran’s lounge is a place where veteran students and their families can go and connect with each other. At the veteran’s lounge, students and their families can spend their leisure time watching tv, playing games, and enjoying refreshments. The veteran’s lounge is located on Central Campus, building 10, room 115. It is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The veteran’s lounge was created so veteran students, and their families would have a safe space to go and relax. “Veteran students have different life experiences than regular students and they prefer to fellowship with themselves, people who have been in the armed forces, and have experience in the military they prefer to socialize with each other,” said Jim DeChant Acting Vice president, Advancement & Executive director at Broward College Foundation.
“Veteran students that were also at the opening were saying that the re-acclimation into society, especially college, is different for veterans than it is for people that are in the workforce already,” said DeChant.
The inspiration for the veteran’s lounge stemmed from a deep connection to military family life. “I am the son and also brother of Marine Core veterans. So, I have a special place in my heart for veterans because I grew up in that family,” said DeChant. In the veteran’s lounge, a plaque stands as testament to its founding, expressing Broward College’s appreciation and commitment to its veteran community. The inscription states:
“This lounge was made possible by the donation of the Spirit Charitable Foundation, The Moss Foundation, and Aero Engine Solutions. Broward College honors your service, your sacrifice, and your contributions both in and out of the classroom. We are proud to stand with you as you pursue your goals and shape a brighter future for yourself, your family, and our community.”
Sprit Airlines partnered with Broward College on this project, making a substantial impact. According to the press release, Sprit Airlines donated $50,000. With this, Broward College was able to transform a small unfinished locker room into the lively veteran’s lounge. So many renovations were made possible; they were able to add AC, Wi-Fi, replace the windows, do the walls and the ceiling, redo the cupboards and they were able to add furniture and appliances.
Students appreciate having a place where they can step away and relax, making the veteran’s lounge a valued space. “I’m a work study student right now but before I was a work study student, I would come to the veteran’s lounge after going to the gym here on campus and I would grab some snacks and also come and relax between classes, and it’s just a place to get away,” said Isaiah Williams, a student veteran at Broward College.
The lounge serves as a place not only to unwind but also to bond with others who have shared experiences. “I love that it’s a place similar to the student lounge with a more mature vibe that a lot of veterans can relate to and it’s easy to find friends here because we also supply a group chat and in the group chat we post many different events and it always gets a pretty good turn out,” said John Rivera, a student veteran at BC.
Pollk11@mail.broward.edu
Veteran’s Lounge on Central Campus.