OCCC hosted two major events during the week of Veterans Day, bringing together student veterans, dependents, faculty and community members to recognize military service and connect attendees with essential resources.
The week kicked off with the Education and Resource Fair, a collaborative event between OCCC’s Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success and the University of Oklahoma. The fair drew roughly 40 campus departments, community organizations and university representatives, all gathered to support veterans and military-connected individuals seeking academic and personal advancement.
Troy Williams, director of the veteran-focused Center of Excellence on campus, said the fair served a broader audience than the Veterans Resource Fair held earlier in the semester.
“The main difference between the two fairs was the audience they served,” Williams said. “The event this week focused on connecting OCCC, OU and community members with resources supporting educational and personal success. The earlier fair was specifically focused on the OCCC student community.”
Participants at the fair ranged from student services departments to four-year colleges and veteran support organizations. Williams said invitations were sent to previous partners as well as organizations with existing relationships with OCCC and OU. Representatives provided information on academic pathways, benefits, financial guidance, health services and career development opportunities.
According to Williams, the fair helps streamline access to resources that student veterans sometimes need to thrive academically.
“The purpose of the fair is to connect student veterans and military-connected individuals with essential resources that support academic success, career development and overall well-being,” Williams said. “It also gives current students the chance to learn more about four-year schools they may want to attend.”
OCCC currently serves approximately 500 student veterans and dependents, a number that Williams said has remained stable over recent years, typically fluctuating by about 50 students per semester. He noted that events like the fair strengthen the partnership between OCCC, OU and the larger military-connected community in Oklahoma City.
The week’s recognition of veterans continued with OCCC’s annual Veterans Day Luncheon, which brought in around 60 attendees, including student veterans, faculty and community guests. The luncheon is held each November to honor those who have served and to foster a sense of camaraderie on campus.
This year’s keynote speaker was OCCC Professor of Biology Morgan Ashworth, who spoke about the importance of connection after service. After recounting a series of personal losses and difficult experiences that occurred following his time in the military, Ashworth described how those challenges led him to form an annual gathering with former service members he once worked alongside – a space for them to check in on one another and reconnect. He ended his speech with a message that resonated with those in the room.
“Sometimes solutions are simple,” he said. “But simple doesn’t always mean easy.”
Past speakers have included local veterans, OCCC faculty who served in the armed forces and representatives from veteran service organizations.
Williams said the luncheon is one of the most meaningful traditions maintained by the Center of Excellence.
“It’s held annually to honor and recognize the service and sacrifices of our student veterans, as well as faculty, staff and community members who have served,” he said. “The event fosters a sense of community, appreciation and pride within the OCCC campus.”
Both the fair and the luncheon highlight OCCC’s commitment to veteran support. Beyond these events, the Center of Excellence coordinates initiatives throughout the year, including the Battle of the Branches, a friendly competition among service branches, workshops on career readiness and financial literacy and sessions designed to help students navigate Veterans Affairs benefits.
Williams said these programs help ensure that veterans have support not only during major recognition events but also throughout their time at the college.
“Our goal is to provide continuous assistance, whether students need help understanding their benefits, planning for the future or building community with other veterans,” he said.
For many attendees, this week’s events served as more than informational gatherings – they were reminders that their service is recognized and valued. Through continued collaboration and dedicated programs, OCCC aims to uphold that recognition year-round.
