Senator and Congressman support WSU service

The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program at Weber State University hosted an open house in campus annex 12 in honor of veterans.    
Donna Rigby, director of VUB, was welcomed by WSU President Ann Millner and Congressman Rob Bishop of Utah’s 1st congressional district after the presentation of the colors by the WSU color guard.
Opening remarks were made by Millner, who thanked the veterans from WSU and the surrounding community for their sacrifice and their participation in the open house.
“You have made a difference, on this campus and in this community,” said Millner in her brief speech. “Now we want to help you progress and receive an education that will benefit you and the community. On behalf of Weber State, we would like to thank all those veterans here on campus and the Ogden community for your service.”
VUB has been on campus for more than twenty years. It took over annex 12 in March, the building directly east of the LDS institute. The organization helps veterans receive support for continuing education. Support provided includes tutoring in math and writing and giving out scholarships.
“Our goal here is to provide access and success to veterans,” Rigby said. “We want to help them to have successes and an education, (whether) it be a certificate, or an associates degree, or bachelors. We are here to help. We not only want to help them succeed in the program Upward Bound but in school and the community.”
Don Benally, a sophomore majoring in nursing, is a Gulf War and Iraq War veteran. He completed boot camp during his senior year in high school, and after graduation was shipped off to the Gulf War. He has since suffered from a traumatic brain injury, not military-related.
“Without this Upward Bound program and the scholarship they offered me, I don’t know if I could have been able to receive my education and make a living for my family,” Benally said in a speech at the event.
Bishop gave his support to veterans at WSU and encouraged them to continue getting an education.
“As time goes on, education becomes more significant,” Bishop said. “It broadens our horizons and perspectives and makes you a better person.”
Bishop went on to thank WSU for letting him visit and participate in the VUB open house.
“It’s always great to come up to Weber State,” Bishop said. “One thing I love about this school is that it has never forgotten about the community. From the beginning as an academy, to a college, to a university, Weber State has always given back to the community and has never forgotten its roots, and this program (Veterans Upward Bound) proves that.”
Those interested in participating in Veterans Upward Bound may contact their office at 801-626-7173 for more information.