The Pamplin School of Business won the “Seven Seals Award” for its efforts to support military at the University of Portland during a military summit hosted by the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition in June.
Representing UP at the event were Dean of the Pamplin School of Business Robin Anderson, Recruiting Operations Officer for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) David Romero, and Graduate Business Recruiter Lilia Grundy. Veteran and Operations and Technology Management graduate student Ragnar Hartmann also gave a speech about his experiences. The Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition in conjunction with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR, issued the Seven Seals Award.
“(The award) is something we were honored to receive,” Grundy said. “It’s in recognition of our support for the military and veterans, which we are committed to here in the Pamplin School of Business. We have some good roots in the university as far as what the ROTC provides.”
The award, which is given out annually, is an all-encompassing award given for military support. According the Grundy, the ESGR also gives out other awards, such as the Patriot Award and the Extraordinary Employer Support Award.
“We’re the only educational institution that won the Seven Seals Award,” Anderson said, “It's not just for educational institutions, it's for organizations for providing support for military and veterans. Its an important priority for us.”
The Pamplin School of Business has partnered with several organizations in Portland dedicated to helping veterans. The school sponsored a working event for Vetwork PDX, a networking community to help veterans find work. Fundraising from the event went to Taps, a tuition support program for families who have fallen soldiers. The school also has instituted a new page on its website dedicated to veteran resources.
“We would like to have more (veterans) in the graduate program, particularly with the addition of the (Masters of Science in Operations Technology Management) program that works very well with their experiences,” Anderson said. “(Veterans) add value to our program, and bring a lot of experience to the classroom. It’s a good partnership for us really.”
The University is working towards getting a Military Friendly Schools designation, and receiving this award marks progress on that front.
“I think it’s part of the process,” Grundy said. “I don't know that it necessarily lends itself to getting that designation right away, because there is still work to be done. I can say that we are enthusiastic about it. It does give us something to be mindful about what kind of communities we have in our population.”
According to Hartmann, the university’s generosity to veterans extends beyond the Pamplin School, one example being the Yellow Ribbon Program.
“The Yellow Ribbon Program, cuts tuition in half (for veterans), and the VA pays the other half,” Hartmann said. “This school actively works to get people (these benefits). I understand there's a lot of complexities behind some things, but on my end, it was seamless.”
At the event, Hartmann gave a powerful speech about his personal experiences and opinion on job discrimination within the veteran community. He has been attending UP since 2013 and received his Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management from the Pamplin School of Business.
“I feel like this school would be helpful to any of its students, but the way it is specifically to veterans is above and beyond what other institutions are doing,” Hartmann said. “That’s why we won the award.”
