UMPI recognized as ‘military friendly’ university

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle was recently recognized for its work with veterans pursuing higher education, offering noteworthy services, opportunities and support for veterans of the United States military service.
    The Military Friendly Schools Guide considered 8,000 institutions in coming up with its annual list. University of Maine System campuses in Augusta, Fort Kent, Orono and Presque Isle made the 2012 list.
    “The 1,518 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list prioritize the recruitment of students with military experience,” according to the publishers of the guide, GI Jobs’ Victory Media. “The result is a list of approximately 1,000 schools which represent the 15 percent that are the most military friendly. These schools are making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served,”
    The 2012 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide, notes the organization.
     “The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience,” said Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list’s Academic Advisory Board, on the Military Friendly Schools website. “It’s specifically important now with so many schools competing for military students.”
    Other Maine institutions on the list include Husson University, Maine Maritime Academy, Central Maine Community College, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and The Landing School.