Bob Parsons Veterans Center Leads Efforts to Keep UB Military Friendly, Closely Involved in Maryland Veterans Activities and Impact on College Students
February 8, 2017
Contact: Public Affairs
Phone: 410.837.5739
Now in its fourth year, The Bob Parsons Veterans Center at the University of Baltimore is forging new alliances, building on strong connections and working on a variety of long-term initiatives, all from its new home in the UB Student Center, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave.
For example, UB recently was recognized as a Top 10 Military Friendly School for 2017 by Victory Media, the third year in a row that the University has received the designation. The recognition, in the category of institutions with fewer than 10,000 students, is given only to the top 20 percent of schools nationwide that deliver an outstanding experience for students who are current former members of the military. At UB, approximately 338 undergraduate and graduate students have a military background.
"We are proud to receive this designation, because it’s the result of extraordinary efforts by the Veterans Center, our students, faculty, administrators, alumni and supporters," said Benz Armstrong, coordinator of veteran and military services in the Division of Student Affairs and an eight-year veteran of the Army. "We seek to maintain a strong pro-veteran stance across the institution, and our center provides us with a home base from which to do that."
The Veterans Center was founded by a $1 million gift from American entrepreneur, philanthropist and United States Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, Bob Parsons. Parsons received his bachelor's degree from the University of Baltimore in 1975 and earned an honorary doctorate in 2008. After receiving his bachelor's degree, Parsons went on to found numerous successful companies, including web domain giant GoDaddy, Parsons Xtreme Golf and YAM Worldwide Inc. Parsons attributes his success to his service in the United States Marine Corps and is committed to giving back to Veterans through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Armstrong, who also serves as staff adviser to the Military Veterans of UB student group, is this year's chair of the Maryland College Collaboration for Veterans Commission (MCCVC). The group was established by state legislation in 2016 to assess the state of veteran services and education within Maryland, and to make recommendations for improving these efforts. Armstrong's one-year term as commissioner will take her to campuses across the state, to the Statehouse, and to various veteran's groups as MCCVC determines its list of priorities, challenges and best practices. The group's final report is due to the Office of the Governor this coming December.
Learn more about UB's designation as a 2017 Top 10 Military Friendly School.
Learn more about The Bob Parsons Veterans Center at the University of Baltimore.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.