Three AG Schools Named "Military Friendly Schools"

Victory Media has announced that three Assemblies of God universities recently made its list of Military Friendly Schools for 2016, including Evangel University and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel in Springfield, Missouri; Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington; and Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas.

The selection and recognition of schools is based upon compiled and weighted research findings based on 10 key categories, including military student body composition, military spouse policies, academic credibility, support on campus, admissions and orientation, and several other criteria.

"This designation [Military Friendly] is important because it identifies schools who are intentionally changing policies, procedures, and atmosphere to be welcoming to veterans," said Chaplain Stormy Davis, coordinator of Veterans Services at Evangel.

SAGU Veteran Affairs Coordinator Cynthia Bell states, "Veteran students and dependents have a rich and unique influence on the campus and student body, and I consider it a privilege to help them through the benefit process as they pursue Bible-based higher education."

According to the Military Friendly website, the annual evaluation is not static. "Each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria, and weightings," the website states.  

Evangel University and AGTS at Evangel have changed the way they process veterans benefits, added a veteran center, and have a retired military chaplain available to talk with veterans. They are also working directly with counselors at the school and in the community to get their veterans better assistance.

For veterans and current service men and women, SAGU offers free counseling, educational benefits, academic assistance and accommodations at the learning center, and waives the application fee. Additionally, SAGU encourages student and staff veteran networking and visits military bases monthly.

"Those earning the 2016 Military Friendly designation demonstrate a strong connection between classroom learning and career development," said Daniel Nichols, chief product officer of Victory Media and a Navy Reserve veteran. "They're moving the needle beyond 'why recruit military' to translating military competencies into training and positive employment after graduation."

This past year, the State of Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart honored Evangel as a Purple Heart University, recognizing its work with veterans, dependents and active duty military.

AGTS also has a long history of training military chaplains. Currently, more than 180 AGTS alumni are serving as chaplains in the Armed Forces and Veterans Administration, and about 30 students are preparing for chaplaincy.

Since 2012, SAGU has participated in the Yellow Ribbon program that is a fund-matching grant that will cover the cost of the remaining tuition that military families will have to pay out-of-pocket.

Of the 10,000 VA-approved schools the Military Friendly survey was open to, less than 1,500 schools nationwide were selected to the Military Friendly list. To see a complete listing of the qualifying schools or to learn more about the ratings, awards, and methodology of the program, click here.

Pictured: Chaplain Stormy Davis, coordinator of veterans services at Evangel

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