KEARNEY – University of Nebraska at Kearney is showing additional appreciation to students for their service to the United States by offering graduates at commencement the opportunity to wear a Military Honor Cord.
Beginning at winter commencement, graduating students who have been honorably discharged as a U.S. veteran, who are currently serving in the U.S. military, or who will be commissioned to service as an officer upon graduation, will be authorized to wear the red, white and blue Military Honor Cord. Service includes active-duty, National Guard, or Reserves.
Military honor cords are being added to academic regalia at other colleges and universities across the country as a way to demonstrate institutional support for U.S. service men and women.
Kenya Taylor, associate vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and dean of Graduate Studies and Research, said graduating students will be offered the opportunity to self-designate for an honor cord in their commencement packet. The cords are free to qualified students. When students wear them at commencement, they will be worn with traditional UNK academic regalia, not with a military uniform.
UNK faculty and staff who meet the criteria and who are taking part in commencement, wearing academic regalia, are also eligible to wear the cords.
“We at UNK are grateful to our veterans and those in military service,” Taylor said. “We are honored to have them take part in our commencement ceremonies wearing these cords. It’s a gesture of honor, but we hope it speaks volumes to these veterans and others about their very personal contribution to our country and its freedom.”
For questions, contact Lori Skarka in UNK Military and Veterans Services office at 308-865-8520 or skarkala@unk.edu
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