Veterans honored with special cords

Around 50 military veterans and active reservists graduating this spring will be the first group to display the new red, white and blue cords used to honor their service done for our country.

The cords will be worn over the graduation cap and gown, similar to the academic honors cords, and are only available for veterans that apply and are accepted to graduate.

Fernando Chavez, coordinator of Veterans Success at Sam, proposed the idea of the cords after learning that other universities were using them at a veterans benefit conference.

“It’s going to be a new thing that’s starting at schools,” Chavez said. “It’s a good way to honor veterans and reserves here on campus.”

Texas State University-San Marcos is similarly starting to use the cords this semester as well.  

Domitilo Ponce, member of the Veterans Advisory Council at Texas State said "veterans are accustomed to wearing devices on their military uniform which show their accomplishments and experiences,” and “by allowing veterans the opportunity to continue this tradition embraces the university's promotion of diversity and culture acceptance.”

Other schools such as Texas Tech University and University of Houston-Downtown are honoring their veterans by using stoles instead of cords.

Professors at SHSU that are military veterans will also have the chance to wear the cords starting next semester.

Chavez hopes the cords will allow other students and people in the crowd to notice the number of veterans graduating and recognize them for going above and beyond by serving in the military and graduating college.

“I think that many people aren't aware as to how many vets attend SHSU,” Corbett French, Vice President of the Collegiate Veterans Association said.  “With vet enrollment expanding exponentially, I'm sure it will be a sight to see on graduation day for years to come.”