Photo: (left to right) Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) president, Frederick Keating, Ed.D.; Gloucester County Commissioner director, Frank J. DiMarco; RCSJ graduate and 2021 Veteran of the Year recipient, Vinu Joseph and Military Services director, John Ryder unveil the new Military Wall of Fame.
On March 31, Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) president, Frederick Keating, Ed.D., and Military Services director, John Ryder, were joined by Gloucester County Commissioner director, Frank J. DiMarco, to unveil the Gloucester campus' new Military Wall of Fame.
“It's always a pleasure to be here at Rowan College of South Jersey, but especially today as we honor the military students and graduates here," said DiMarco. “I've always believed we should do everything we can for our veterans, and it's good to know I'm standing here among people who think the same way."
The installation, located outside of the Office of Military Services, features photos of military students along with plaques commemorating the College's past Student Veteran of the Year recipients, Student Veteran Association presidents, and its military-affiliated employees. It also includes recognitions RCSJ has received for the high level of service it provides to its military students, including the Military Friendly® School designation and the New Jersey's Governor “We Value Our Veterans" Academia Award.
“This has always been a military friendly College and we're proud of that," remarked Keating. “Veterans have a very delicate transition to make; it's our goal to provide them with a clear path for reentry into civilian life. This wall is a symbol of the commitment we have to our military students, and I'm thrilled that we will be going down to our Cumberland campus next to create a Veteran's Wall of Fame for our students there."
The project was inspired by the unit commendation walls located in military bases to acknowledge the units serving there. With that in mind, Ryder and his team wanted to create a recognition wall for the Office of Military Services, which functions as a “home base" for the College's military students.
“The Military Wall of Fame represents a lot of things – honor, integrity, respect," noted Ryder. “The bottom line is, I want RCSJ's military students to know that our office is here to support them as they navigate their transition from military life to civilian life. We want them to know that we recognize their sacrifice and service, and that they have military peers attending and working at this College who are eager to help them throughout their journey."
For RCSJ graduate and 2021 Veteran of the Year recipient, Vinu Joseph, the intended message came through loud and clear. The U.S. Marine veteran and current Rowan University student shared his own experience at RCSJ with the crowd gathered for the unveiling of an installation that bears his name, alongside many others.
“Coming from a student who lived it from beginning to end, I can tell you that never in my life have I experienced a college that showed me so much love as a veteran," reflected Joseph. “I encourage you guys to keep doing what you're doing here to serve veterans, because it's awesome."
To learn more about support services and educational opportunities available to RCSJ's military students at
RCSJ.edu/Veterans. Or visit the Gloucester campus on Friday, April 21 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the College's annual Operation Stand Down event, designed for veterans to connect to one another and learn more about State and Federal benefits and assistance with healthcare, housing, education, employment and more. Register for free at
RCSJ.edu/OperationStandDown.
