News & Photos

USM's Academic Resource Center and Fort Leavenworth Provide Tutoring Assistance

USM's ARC will have a U.S. Army officer available to assist students with writing, study skills, or other academic needs beginning Jan. 20.

The assistance will be available on Wednesdays, from 6-7 p.m. beginning Jan. 20. Contact Kay Kolb for more information or to schedule an appointment.

USM Commemorates Veterans Day

In recognition of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and in honor of those who've served this country, the University of Saint Mary is inviting veterans, active-duty military, and their dependents to attend USM's final home football game of the season free of charge. The game will be played at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at USM's Football/Soccer Complex on the Leavenworth campus, 4100 South 4th Street.

Others who wish to attend the game against the Spires' Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Tabor College can gain free admission with a donation of a new toy, clothing, or non-perishable food items. The donations will go to support Toys For Tots, the DAV Thrift Store, or the Leavenworth Area Assistance Center, respectively. Donations for all three charity drives will also be accepted on campus 8-10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, for those who wish to give, but can't attend the game. The drives are part of a student service-learning project for a class taught by Carlton Philpot, assistant professor of business and USM's veterans' affairs coordinator.

At the game, a color guard from the Marine Corps Mobilization Command in Kansas City, Kan., will be on hand and Leavenworth High School's Army ROTC cadets will serve as ushers. A USM military student will do the honorary coin toss.

"The purpose of this event is to honor all veterans, active-duty military, and their dependents for their service to the country," Professor Philpot said, "and to show them that we deeply appreciate their sacrifices."

Sister Diane Steele, USM president, added: "We consider this an opportunity to say 'thank you' for all our men and women in uniform do for this country."

The game starts at 1:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted between noon and 3:30 p.m. Veterans should bring a military ID card for free admission.

USM will also be participating in Leavenworth County's Veterans Day parade in downtown Leavenworth at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Contact Carlton Philpot at (913) 682-5151, ext. 6424, for more information on the event and about the new post-9/11 GI Bill and other educational benefits available for veterans, active-duty, and their dependents.

Nov. 10 Marks 234th Birthday
of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Today is the 234th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Let us extend our best wishes to the members of this most cherished and unique cadre within our American Armed Forces. The following link contains more details about this unique history.

The Marine Corps' current motto is: "Semper Fidelis", or "Semper Fi" for short, is Latin for "Always faithful."

The other two are:

1. "Fortitudine" (meaning "with courage") antedating the War of 1812, which was a nod to the British Royal Marines.
2. "Per Mare, Per Terram" ("by sea, by land") and, up until 1843, there was also the motto "To the Shores of Tripoli".
3. "Semper fidelis" signifies the dedication and loyalty that individual Marines have for "Corps and Country", even after leaving service. Marines frequently shorten the motto to "Semper Fi".

Other Uses:

1. "Semper Fidelis" is also the title of the official march of the United States Marine Corps, composed by John Philip Sousa in 1889. Sousa was director of the United States Marine Band ("The President's Own") when a replacement for Hail to the Chief was requested, but later rejected. Sousa considered it to be his "most musical" march.
2. It was prominently featured in the movie A Few Good Men. Charles Burr wrote the lyrics to the march.
3. On the United States Marine Corps Seal, the eagle of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem holds a ribbon emblazoned "Semper Fidelis".

Unique Facts:

1. 1. The word NAVY refers to just forces from the US Navy, the word NAVAL refers to a combination of Marine and Navy forces.
2. 2. The first Black General in the Marine Corps is Gen Peterson from Kansas.

Happy Birthday Marines!

USM Commemorates 9/11

Dozens of American flags flew at USM's main campus in September, 2009, for the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. The flags were provided by the American Legion Riders from Post 41 in Tonganoxie, Kan. The display was coordinated by our own student vets and Prof. Carlton Philpot.

(Leavenworth, Kan.) — University of Saint Mary Assistant Professor of Business Carlton Philpot received one of the most prestigious honors the U.S. Army can bestow on a civilian during a ceremony at Fort Leavenworth on Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

Philpot, a retired U.S. Navy commander, received the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for his instrumental work in establishing the Buffalo Soldiers Monument at Fort Leavenworth in 1992. Philpot also played a key role in the development of the "Circle of Firsts," a tribute to African American soldiers also housed at Fort Leavenworth . Retired Calvary Trooper James G. Madison was also honored at the ceremony for his efforts in expanding the fort's outreach to the community.

Tuesday's award was the latest in a season of honors for Philpot. In late June, the Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area Chapter of the National 9 th & 10 th Cavalry Association-the Buffalo Soldiers-held a weekend event in his honor that included written accolades from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. And the City of Leavenworth proclaimed June 20 to be "Cmdr. Carlton Philpot Day."

In remarks at Tuesday's ceremony, Col. Dominic E. Pompelia, chief of staff of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth , praised Philpot, saying his "dedication to this community and to the memory of the Buffalo Soldiers made this monument possible."

Read the university's full news release (.pdf).

University of Saint Mary Signs On to New "Yellow Ribbon Program" for Military Students
Program to Begin Aug. 1, 2009

Military veterans who qualify for GI Bill benefits are now eligible to attend the University of Saint Mary tuition-free through the university's participation in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Yellow Ribbon Program.

This month, the university became one of 700 institutions of higher learning to sign on with the Yellow Ribbon Program, which supplements existing Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits. Under the existing GI Bill, veterans are eligible for tuition assistance up to a specific dollar amount per state that cannot exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.

The Yellow Ribbon Program allows universities to help make up any difference between their respective tuition rates and the GI Bill assistance for its eligible students, with the federal government matching the university's contribution. The University of Saint Mary has agreed to cover 50 percent of the difference, with the VA picking up the rest—meaning eligible students will attend USM tuition and fees-free.

"We are proud to participate in this program that aims to make quality higher education available and affordable to those who have served our nation as well as their dependents," said USM President Sister Diane Steele.

Carlton Philpot, the university's veterans services coordinator added: "This is another means through which Saint Mary can serve our veterans and their dependents. It's a great thing to be able to do this for our veterans."

The Yellow Ribbon benefits are payable for education pursued on or after Aug. 1, 2009, and is reserved for students who are eligible for 100 percent of their GI Bill benefits. Other benefits available to military students—including stipends and assistance for housing, books, and supplies—can offset the other costs of a college education.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Website, only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive Yellow Ribbon Program funding. Therefore, they may be eligible if:

• They served an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, or at least 36 months
• They were honorably discharged from active duty for a service connected disability and they served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001
• They are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on a veteran's service under the eligibility criteria listed above.

A local dentist has agreed to provide 25 preventative dental exams along with limited dental care for the dependents of USM’s full-time undergraduate enrolled veterans.

Requests for this service will be handled by USM’s Veterans Coordinator Carlton Philpot. The care program begins Sept. 1.

Contact Carlton.

University of Saint Mary Launches New Outreach Program for Veterans and Active Duty Students
April 15, 2009
(Leavenworth, Kan.)—In an effort to better serve the men and women who serve our country, the University of Saint Mary is launching a new effort to aid the school’s veteran and active-duty military students, their families, and those interested in attending the university through military education benefits.

The web-based portion of the initiative, www.stmary.edu/veterans, is designed to serve as a centralized location for information on government education benefits and other resources, university admissions policies, and credit transfer procedures. The outreach program and veterans web pages fall under the auspices of Carlton Philpot, an assistant professor in USM’s business department and a disabled veteran, who has been appointed as the university’s veterans and military student services coordinator.

Philpot, who served 24 years in the U.S. Navy and attended college through the GI Bill, said he looked forward to helping military students achieve their college dream.

“We want to better serve those who have served and are serving this great country as well as their families,” Philpot said.

Philpot will be the main point of contact for assistance with:

• Academic course planning
• Military scholarships
• Financial aid
• Chapter 31 and other program applications and payments
• Family and personal needs
• Veterans and military support groups

Contact Carlton Philpot at (913) 682-5151, ext. 6424 or via email at PhilpotC@stmary.edu for more information.

The University of Saint Mary is a designated Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC), one of more than 1,500 colleges and universities providing voluntary post-secondary education to members of the military. As an SOC institution, the university recognizes the unique nature of the military commitment and seeks to ease the transfer of relevant course credits, offers flexible scheduling, and provides credit for learning stemming from appropriate military training and experience.