Center for Veteran and Military Students Receives $1 Million Gift to Build Community

(BLOOMINGTON) – The Division of Student Affairs and the Center for Veteran and Military Students has received a $1 million gift from Larry and Brenda McDaniel to create a more permanent space for veteran and military-connected students on Indiana University Bloomington’s campus to help students build community, collaborate and thrive on campus.

Dave O'Guinn and Larry McDaniel at an IU football game
From left, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dave O’Guinn and Larry McDaniel at IU football’s Salute to Service game Nov. 2 at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Carter Waldron, IU Athletics

After he was discharged from the U.S. Navy, Larry McDaniel enrolled at IU Bloomington with support of the G.I. Bill. Despite the 1970s being a turbulent time for many veterans on college campuses, McDaniel said he received great direction about how to navigate IU and his major coursework from an assistant dean of students, who was also a veteran, in what is now the IU Kelley School of Business.

After graduating in 1976 from the business school, McDaniel went on to have a successful career at Marathon Petroleum.

Then, in 2018, McDaniel said he visited the Center for Veteran and Military Students during a campus visit with his granddaughter.

“I learned about the important work of the Center for Veteran and Military Students, and the more than 500 veterans and 1,200 military-connected students enrolled at IU Bloomington,” he said. “My wife and I immediately wanted to be involved.”

The Center for Veteran and Military Students is a one-stop resource for military-connected students who wish to understand and use their state and federal education benefits; who need assistance or guidance adapting to life outside the military; or who need help navigating the campus and university systems.

“Larry and Brenda McDaniel’s generous leadership gift will provide a foundation for the Center for Veteran and Military Students and create a sense of home for our military-connected students on the Bloomington campus,” said Dave O’Guinn, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students.

The Center for Veteran and Military Students is at 823 E.ast 11th Street.

The McDaniels’ gift counts toward the $3 billion For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign.

For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign is taking place on all IU-administered campuses including IU Bloomington, IUPUI, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend and IU Southeast. The campaign will conclude in June 2020 to coincide with IU’s bicentennial year celebration. To learn more about the campaign, its impact and how to participate, visit forall.iu.edu.

Information News at IU Bloomington