Empire State University students graduate at Fort Drum
(FORT DRUM, NY – JUNE 7, 2024) Military-affiliated students from Empire State University graduated at Fort Drum, New York, on May 30, 2024.
Students from Empire State University, Jefferson Community College, and the University of Maryland Global Campus are represented at Fort Drum. 43 students were celebrated in the May ceremony.
Desiree Drindak, director of the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) at Empire State University, and Anne Sweet, assistant director of the VMRC, attended the event.
The Fort Drum Garrison Commander, Col. Matthew R. Myer, Ceara Tapin, the Fort Drum Education Services Officer, and representatives from all three schools, were on stage to congratulate the graduates. The 10th Mountain Division Band performed life music for the ceremony.
Ronald Martin, a member of the Army National Guard, said he was inspired to join the military so he could achieve his goal of graduating with a college degree through various degree programs offered with military service.
Martin, a graduate at this year’s Fort Drum ceremony, said he enrolled with Empire State University because of the flexibility offered through online courses. He studied business administration for his undergraduate degree and recently received a master’s in business administration.
“I chose this degree for promotion and to gain the tools needed to become an entrepreneur,” Martin said. “SUNY Empire allowed me the opportunity to balance my military service with academics through online learning. The professors and support staff were simply outstanding whenever I needed advice, assistance, or guidance.”
Martin said he plans to start his own business and work to become a coach and mentor.
Simone Barrie is a veteran spouse and member of a longtime military family. Barrie chose Empire State University because of its reputation for supporting military members and their dependents. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree and said her two sons also previously graduated from SUNY Empire.
“I started taking college classes as a part of my grief therapy, but very soon, college became my therapy,” Barrie said. “Professors allowed and encouraged me to bring my own experiences of military life, deployments, PTSD, and loss into my studies.”
Barrie said she will begin working toward a master’s degree in special education in the fall.
“Over the last three years, I learned that I connect very well with children who are nonverbal and mainly communicate through behavior,” Barrie said. “I firmly believe in empowering children who cannot advocate for themselves.”