Communications

USF Honors Veterans with Salute to Service and Campus Celebrations

Veterans are warmly regarded at the University of South Florida (USF), where nearly 9,000 veteran and military-connected students receive dedicated support from the Office of Veterans Success (OVS). Each November, USF celebrates Veterans Week with a line up of events that honor this community’s legacy and contributions. A highlight this year is the annual “Salute to Service” tailgate and football game at Raymond James Stadium on November 9. As USF takes on Navy for its homecoming game, the event will celebrate the university’s long-standing connection to veterans.

OVS Director Wayne Taylor, Ed.D. said, “USF is founded on an old army air airfield and came into existence to assist our World War II veterans who wanted to go to college and use their G.I. bill. A version of the Office of Veterans Success first began in 1973 after the award of U.S. Department of Education grant. This year we are going into our 51st year.”

The game will also feature special tributes, including a coin toss by General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., former Commander of U.S. Central Command, and the promotion of USF Naval ROTC graduate Major Richard Austin Majette to Lieutenant Colonel during halftime. USF alumni and veteran supporters will join in the festivities, marking the strength of USF’s veteran ties.

Beyond Veterans Week, OVS supports veterans year-round with transition resources, workshops on LinkedIn and resume writing, and guidance on using G.I. Bill benefits. This semester alone, 2,143 students are utilizing these educational benefits.

Veterans Week activities will span USF’s campuses. Tampa will host an OVS open house, St. Petersburg will feature the annual Chef MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat) Competition, where students use MREs to create culinary dishes, and Sarasota-Manatee will hold a Marine Corps birthday celebration. Through these events and daily support, OVS continues to empower veteran students and honor their service to the nation.