About

The Veterans and Military Student Services Center, a branch of the Ohio University Registrar, was created in the fall of 2010. Since then, the office has expanded and relocated to Baker University Center, Room 350. Full-time Ohio University staff, along with VA work study student workers, operate the office from 8am - 5pm Monday through Friday certifying benefits, answering phone calls, maintaining files, providing guidance and addressing students’ questions.

Primarily, the Veterans Center serves as a liaison between students using VA educational benefits and the VA to help facilitate the process of application and implementation of benefits. We also provide veterans and dependents, regardless of benefit status, with the resources to help with the transition from military or high school to college life and achieve success in their academic journey. Many of these resources can be found on our website, but they are also available to you in-person, over the phone or via email.

If you need assistance at any time, please don't hesitate to stop by our office, call us at (740) 566-VETS (8387), or email us at veteranscenter@ohio.edu. The Veterans and Military Student Services Center is designed with the students’ needs in mind and we are eager to help you make your Ohio University experience as great as it can be!

Veterans and Military Student Services Center

Office of the University Registrar
Baker University Center, Rm 350
740.566.VETS (8387)
Fax: 740.593.4145
veteranscenter@ohio.edu

School Certifying Official

Certification of VA education benefits is a service provided by the School Certifying Official in the Veterans and Military Student Services Center. The office serves as a liaison between Ohio University military-connected students using some type of VA education benefit and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We assist student veterans with the processing of VA forms for educational benefits, advise student veterans concerning certain procedural requirements, and certify enrollment of Ohio University military-connected students to the Department of Veterans Affairs.  POC:  Ms. Janet Russell - 740.566.VETS (8387).

Our Mission Statement

Support and advocate for Veterans and military-connected students by implementing best practices while providing individualized services to students in their transition and pursuit of personal, academic, and professional development.

Our Vision Statement

To be the primary resource for all Veterans, military-connected students and their families, as well as faculty and staff. The Veterans and Military Student Services Center achieves this by:

  • Easing the transition for all Veterans and military-connected students to the university;
  • Providing expert guidance on GI Bill® benefits, and other VA policies and procedures;
  • Continuously improving processes and services;
  • Collaborating with university partners to provide the resources necessary for our Veteran and military-connected students to be successful; and
  • Highlighting Veterans' contributions and challenges within the university and local communities.

At Ohio University, we recognize and value the contributions that you—our Veterans, dependents, and military personnel—make to our campus community in your role as students, faculty, staff, and members of the Ohio university community. We recognize and honor the sacrifices you have made through your service to our country and appreciate the leadership and broad experiences you bring to OHIO University.

The purpose of Ohio University’s Veteran and Military Student Services Center is to provide, facilitate and coordinate programs and services as effectively as possible for you and your family members. We strive to assist you in making a successful transition to the Ohio University community and support you through your academic careers. The Director serves as the central point of contact for students with a dedicated network of OHIO University Veterans Points of Contact serving as additional resources.

For over a decade, Ohio University has worked to improve and expand services for student Veterans, spouses and dependents, and military personnel. In 2022, Ohio University was named as part of the inaugural class of Ohio's Collegiate Purple Star Campuses for it's longstanding history of supporting military-connected students in higher education. 

In March of 2024, Ohio University was named one of the nation’s top military-friendly schools for the 13th consecutive year by Viqtory Media, a veteran-owned company and publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine. For 2024-2025, Ohio University earned the Military-Friendly School #6 ranking for Tier 1 research institutions in the nation, while also earning the Military Spouse-Friendly School #7 ranking.

Ohio University is a signatory member of the 8 Keys to Success. 

If you have questions about being an OHIO University student, or suggestions about how we can better serve you, please contact us at (740) 566-VETS (8387) or veteranscenter@ohio.edu. We are proud to have you as a member of the Bobcat Family!

With Honor

The official center name is Brigadier General James M. Abraham and Colonel Arlene F. Greenfield Veterans and Military Student Services Center named so in honor of two esteemed alumni who served their country and their university with great distinction.

BSEE '43 and BSIE '48
Brigadier General James M. Abraham

General James M. Abraham earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Industrial Engineering from Ohio University. He also graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.

General Abraham completed the requirements for his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in the summer of 1943. He was scheduled to participate in the 1944 commencement ceremony but was preoccupied with World War II. Around the time of the university's commencement, he was storming Omaha Beach in Normandy as a member of the United States Army. He received his battlefield commission from General George Patton in 1945. 

General Abraham eventually returned to Ohio University after WWII to earn a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering in 1948, and participated in the commencement ceremony that year, but still had not walked for his first degree. In 2010, 67 years after he earned his first degree, he walked in the commencement ceremony to receive his first diploma.

General Abraham retired in 1982 from the United States Army after a stellar career of service that spanned 40 years. Upon his return from WWII, he left active duty service and shortly thereafter joined the Ohio National Guard. He held numerous command and staff positions across Ohio, including Ohio University ROTC instructor (1958-1961), culminating as the Assistant Adjutant General of the Ohio National Guard.

As a civilian, he has served in industry, education, and government. General Abraham was instrumental in developing a novel method of municipal financing for Ohio’s cities. A registered professional engineer, he has been active in engineering and management consulting activities. He holds several patents for medium pressure systems and developed several key programs for the U.S. Army. He has published a book and has worked on additional books.

General Abraham has received numerous accolades including the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers Distinguished Award, induction into the Ohio Veterans’ Hall of Fame, induction into the Ohio National Guard Association Hall of Fame, the European Theater of Operations Medal with four bronze stars, and many other recognitions for his contributions and service, both professionally and personally.

General Abraham is credited for developing innovative concepts in ROTC instruction at Ohio University that have been implemented at other universities nationwide. He has endowed multiple student scholarships across many areas of the university, including English, cheerleading, ROTC, and engineering.

He is a member of the Russ College Board of Visitors and Army ROTC Society of Alumni and Friends Board. Accolades from Ohio University include induction into the Ohio University Army ROTC Hall of Fame and the Academy of Distinguished Graduates.

General Abraham is a native of Athens, Ohio. He passed away on November 8, 2015 at the age of 92.  He is survived by his wife--Irene, daughter—Michele and son—Daniel.

BSHEC `71
Colonel Arlene F. Greenfield

Colonel Arlene F. Greenfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Ohio University in 1971 and a Master of Arts degree in Personnel Management and Human Relations from Webster University in Missouri in 1982.

Following her direct commission into the Women’s Army Corps after her OHIO graduation, Colonel Greenfield served in the United States Army for 30 years, including three successful command tours and a variety of stateside and international assignments. Her military schooling included a U.S. Army Fellowship at Harvard University; the Army's Inspector General School; and the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.

Colonel Greenfield had extensive military experience in Human Resources, Personnel Management, Administration, Utilization, and Readiness; she served in multiple senior-level command and staff positions in the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and Major Army Command. She was the military director of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, and was highly decorated, most notably, with the Legion of Merit and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She retired with the rank of Colonel in 2001.

Colonel Greenfield’s military career, coupled with her ambitious and charitable nature, drove her to become involved with OHIO’s Women in Philanthropy and the Ohio University Alumni Association (OUAA) Board of Directors; she would later serve as chair of both organizations. She served on the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees and as an Ohio University Trustee. She also was involved with The Patton College Dean’s Circle of Engagement, The Promise Lives Campaign Committee, and Veteran’s Services.

The list of Colonel Greenfield’s contributions to Ohio University and its programs is extensive: ROTC, Athletics, Galbreath Chapel, Libraries, OUAA, Marching 110, Student Affairs, several colleges, and dozens of academic programs have benefited from her generosity. She also endowed a number of scholarships campus-wide. As invested as she was in the institution, she was even more devoted to the OHIO students, in particular, military veterans. She was an unwavering advocate for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and gave liberally of her time, talent, and treasure to support OHIO’s ROTC and veterans’ programs.

Her affinity toward service men and women extended beyond the walls of her alma mater; she remained involved with the military well into her retirement as a member of the Chief of Staff, Army Retired Soldier Council and as the medical chairperson of the Fort Myer Military Community Retiree Council. Colonel Greenfield also was partner and co-founder of Qualitative Research Service Consultants Inc., a small business specializing in research and analysis involving military, business, women and work, and educational organizations.

Colonel (Ret) Arlene F. Greenfield died unexpectedly on August 26, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 64. She was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.