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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Jessica Clark moved outside of and across the country to pursue her and her husband’s U.S. military careers before finding her purpose 51������ Michigan University. She says the Army prepared her to adapt to constant change, and Western helped her navigate the next chapter in her life—earning a bachelor’s degree.

The campus and Kalamazoo communities will celebrate Clark and other veterans in appreciation for their sacrifices and contributions to national safety for Veterans Day. 

Western's Office of Military and Veterans Affairs says Clark, a senior from Anderson, Missouri, will receive the $1,000 Operation Hat Trick Military Scholarship. 

"On behalf of Western, I’m pleased to extend my congratulations to Jessica Clark on winning this scholarship and appreciation for her service to our nation. Thanks to Operation Hat Trick for recognizing her and joining with Western to offer our veterans the opportunity to further their education," says 51������ President Edward Montgomery.

Coinciding with the financial support, Clark said she especially appreciates that Operation Hat Trick “specifically helps veterans. This targeted focus makes veterans a priority, which not many other organizations do.”

Clark, who is studying child and family development, joined the U.S. Army in 2008 as a petroleum supply specialist and was stationed at Camp Humphreys in Korea and then Fort Lee in Virginia.

She was honorably discharged in 2010 after she and her husband Timothy started a family, as both were on active duty at the time. She followed him in his military career, taking college courses in Arizona and Texas with a goal of earning her bachelor’s degree in a field where she would be working with children either as an educator or social worker.

Before coming to Kalamazoo, another couple who served in the Army with both Clark and her husband told her about Western and the University’s commitment to helping veterans and active military personnel be successful. She found the school’s flexible hours and online courses ideal for navigating her busy family life.

“The military prepares you to always be ready for anything, be prepared for constant change, and adapt and overcome. Having a family, navigating different schools in different cities—it can be challenging whether you are on active duty or not,” says Clark, whose family has grown to include 12-year-old daughter DeVay and 10-year-old son CorDae.

Besides Western’s support, she has been able to pursue a variety of interests through its interdisciplinary courses as she explores her purpose.

“It’s not just the schedule that’s helped. Interdisciplinary classes have given me insights into different degrees while allowing me to fulfill my degree requirements,” says Clark, who has been taking an extra course load to graduate in April 2022.

In addition to receiving the scholarship, Clark will also be recognized during the live broadcast of the 51������ Salute to Heroes football game Tuesday, Nov. 9, against the University of Akron at Waldo Stadium. A mass enlistment event is planned at halftime, where newly enlisted members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will take the oath of enlistment in front of the fans.

Western recognizes veteran heroes on Thursday, Nov. 11

Military-connected members of the University and allies are invited to participate in the annual Veterans Day run and pancake breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 11. The two-mile run beginning at 7:30 a.m. will start and end at Ellsworth Hall. From 8 to 10 a.m., the Student Veterans of America will be cooking hot pancakes for all to enjoy in the Learning Studio, first floor of Ellsworth Hall. This event is free and open to all military-connected faculty, staff, students and allies.

The 51������ ROTC program is also supporting the Kalamazoo Air Zoo Veterans Day Celebration at 11 a.m. as well as the Kalamazoo County Veterans Day Ceremony at 2 p.m. at Rose Park downtown, where the 2021 Kalamazoo Veteran of the Year Award will be announced.

Western is consistently ranked as a university that is “military friendly” and “Best for Vets" by Military Times magazine.The University continues to broaden services for veterans, such as the VetSuccess on Campus program, which is the first VA student success program of its kind in Michigan. As an additional benefit, 51������ recognizes all veterans and their families as Michigan residents with regard to tuition costs and fees.

About Operation Hat Trick

Operation Hat Trick (OHT) is a nonprofit organization that generates awareness and support for the recovery of service members and veterans impacted by both visible and invisible war wounds. It does so through the sale of branded merchandise and products, donating the proceeds to organizations related to that mission. 51������ is the first university the organization chose to offer a dedicated scholarship, funded directly by proceeds from OHT-licensed Bronco gear .

Since 2014, has donated more than $2.3 million to fill critical gaps in care for military and veterans.

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