Soldier-Citizen-Scholar Events at University of New Hampshire

Soldier. Citizen. Scholar

Building Community Awareness of Veterans’ Contributions and Experiences

Manchester, NH – This fall the University of New Hampshire at Manchester will bring the community together for a series of lectures, discussions, information sessions, and an art exhibit to increase awareness and understanding of veterans’ contributions, challenges, and experiences as they transition from military service to civilian life, to scholarship and beyond.

The series, Soldier.Citizen.Scholar, includes six events and begins with the unveiling of an art exhibit, 100 Faces of War Experience by Matthew Mitchell, on September 30, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at UNH Manchester. The 100 Faces project is an exploration of the human experience of soldiers and civilians leaving the United States and entering into wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The exhibit features portraits and stories of people who have gone on this journey.

Mitchell began the exhibit in 2005 with a portrait of late Marine Lance Corporal Jeffery Lucey of Belchertown, MA. The exhibit now includes more than 35 portraits, including that of Tanya Karst from Derry, NH, a Petty Officer in the US Navy. She writes in her personal statement, “I enlisted into the United States Navy without knowing that my services would actually be needed to defend my country. The days after September 11, 2001 subjected me to a moral and emotional rollercoaster ride. But I was there. I sacrificed my rights and put my own life on the line so the people of the United States could continue to be free.” 

Mitchell hopes the exhibit offers the public of our country a place to contemplate the wars in a way which goes past politics and past silent memorials. He said, “The goal of 100 Faces is to understand human nature as it is represented by those people going abroad into these wars, to understand our country, and ourselves.” 100 Faces of War has been on display throughout the United States, including Capitol Hill, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, Ohio State University, and the Massachusetts State House. The exhibit will be on display at UNH Manchester from September 27-October 22, 2010. More information about the exhibit is available online, http://www.100facesofwarexperience.org/.

 The schedule for the Soldier.Citizen.Scholar series at UNH Manchester is listed below. Information is also available on the college’s website, www.unhm.unh.edu/events.

The series is free and open to the public. Please call 603-641-4167 at least three weeks prior to the event if you need special accommodations. Parking is available in the Arms Lot, located behind UNH Manchester, using the “pay and display” system. Events will be cancelled if the college is closed due to inclement weather. Call our snowline for information about a possible closure, 603-641-4100.

 100 Faces of War Experience, Art Exhibit

An exploration of the human experience of going from America abroad into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The project features portraits of and statements by people who have gone on this journey.

Meet the artist, Matthew Mitchell, on September 30 at a reception followed by a presentation. Mitchell will discuss how the portrait project developed and explain his own journey through the art process. Thursday, September 30, 2010, Reception at 6:00 p.m. in the second floor gallery at UNH Manchester, followed by an artist presentation from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the third floor auditorium. 

 From Service Member to Scholar: A UNH Manchester Veterans’ Information Session

Wednesday, October 6, 2010, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Room 350

Demystify the college application process and how admission decisions are made and identify the best college match for you. This free information session is designed for veterans of military service who are considering returning to college or who may be first time college students.

The session will be led by a UNH Manchester admissions officer and academic counselor. Reserve your seat by calling 603-641-4150 or emailing unhm.admissions@unh.edu

 The Veterans’ Experience

Thursday, October 7, 2010, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Third floor auditorium

Utilizing documentary materials from the troops themselves who share their stories in their own words, author Larry Minear brings their diverse and compelling experience to a wider audience for the first time.

Based on scores of interviews by the author and from the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress, his newest book, Through Veterans’ Eyes: The Iraq and Afghanistan Experience, presents a composite narrative of soldiers’ experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, from enlistment through deployment and combat to re-entry. Join Minear and a panel of recent veterans for a discussion of the impacts of their service on themselves and their communities.

The panel will include Larry Minear, author and retired social science researcher from Tufts University; Brigadier General Deborah L. Carter, Chief of Staff, NH Air National Guard; and several veterans.

 From Service Member to Citizen: The Transition to Civilian Life for Veterans and their Families

Wednesday, October 13, 2010, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Third floor auditorium

When military personnel finish their tours of duty and return home, they face many transitions: recovery from in­tense events, the use of battlefield skills, and the changed and changing landscape at home. Negotiating change is not easy and the successful transition from solider (sailor, airman, marine) to citizen takes time and effort. Join Peter Romein, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, to learn more.

 Community Cares: A Panel Presentation

Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Third floor auditorium

Learn about programs and services available to support families, veterans, and service members in their transition from military service to civilian life. Panelists will share information about available resources.

Panelists will include Lisa Aldridge, transition assistance advisor for New Hampshire; Daisy Wojewoda, project director, Veterans Count/Deployment Cycle Support Program with Easter Seals New Hampshire; and Al Porsche, readjustment counseling therapist, Manchester Veterans Center.

 Learn How to Make History, Offered in partnership with the Manchester Historic Association

Thursday, November 4, 2010, 9:00-12:30 Manchester Millyard Museum, Discovery Gallery

Join folklorist and oral historian Millie Rahn to learn the process of making history by capturing the personal accounts of American war veterans through interviews. The audience will learn how to record and transcribe stories to contribute to the Veteran’s History Project and the Library of Congress, one of the world’s most respected research and cultural institutions, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. When you participate, you are making history.

Space for this free workshop is limited. Please RSVP by calling Brian Tobin at 641-4306 or email Brian.Tobin@unh.edu.

 UNH Manchester, UNH’s urban campus, offers liberal arts and applied majors in business, science, and technology, all with an urban focus. UNH Manchester is UNH. Follow the College on Facebook, www.facebook.com/unhmanchester, or visit the website, www.unhm.unh.edu.