veterans

After 28 years of serving the country as a member of the United States Air Force, Stefney Dunson plans to use the research for his Ed.D. to help his fellow veterans avoid homelessness. “My goal is to go back into the VA system and help with the issue of homelessness and see if we can bring those numbers down,” Dunson said. “I know there’s a lot of issues out there with veterans right now, and after spending 28 years in the military and having some of my young folks go into the world and end up homeless, I want to be able to continue to serve, in some way, those who wore the uniform.” Sixth in a series highlighting learners in the College of Doctoral Studies. 

There’s a student at GCU whose life has not quite gone as planned — yet he’s flourishing. In 2003, the Marine was ambushed in Iraq, resulting in the loss of an eye, a traumatic brain injury and a bullet wound to the arm. His mother says he shouldn’t have survived, “but by the grace of God he did.” The injuries cost him a career in law enforcement and a job with the Kepler Space Telescope Program. But from the ashes, Brent Phillips has created something special with the help of the University.

Tuesday’s event marked the third year that GCU’s Military Division led a Memorial Day event to give back to veterans. The veterans home near Indian School Road and Third Street was an ideal place for GCU staff to have time to visit and interact with veterans through crafts, video games, walks in the park and other activities.