A Memorial Day Dedication From Grantham University's President
Today's TGIF Video of the Week features a special message for students in online degree programs. With Memorial Day three days away and many of us looking forward to a relaxing weekend, let's not forget what this important holiday commemorates: selfless U.S. military members who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.
With that in mind, Grantham University would like to say thank you to the men and women in all five branches, who have served/are serving this wonderful country. As a special thanks, Grantham University President Joseph McGrath offered this message to students earlier in the week. Enjoy:
So many of our country's military members choose to go to school online, and Grantham University has been fortunate to grant degrees to countless service members since the university's inception in 1951. Their stories of strength and persistence are an inspiration.
My most vivid memory of Memorial Day was six years ago at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
I went through the security line and was on my way to board a flight for Kansas City when I saw practically everyone in the terminal stopped in their tracks. All attention shifted toward a group of five returning soldiers from the U.S. Army.
The entire terminal filled with applause as every able traveler greeted the service members with a standing ovation that lasted for a good two to three minutes. It was one of the more powerful scenes I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing.
As many of us know, travelers rarely come to a standstill at airports - not with the urgent, up-tempo pace that typically defines the atmosphere at DFW and other major airports around the country.
This long holiday weekend, I urge everyone to stop in their tracks and think about what these next few days are all about: our service members and their dedication to our country.
From all of us at Grantham University: Thank you. Have a safe and fun weekend.
Are you wondering if online education is the right fit? For an in-depth look at the pros and cons of distance learning, download our newly-released eBook by clicking the image below:
About the author: Eric Sorrentino joined Grantham University as Social Media Manager in October 2011. Prior to that, he blogged about Big 12 Conference athletics for KUsports.com and was a sports copy editor for the Lawrence Journal-World. Eric received his bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas.