September 16, 2009 – News & Views

Stephen Wright, who served five tours of duty with the U.S. Navy, is OWU’s first student to benefit from the University’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program

Photo by Cole Hatcher

Yellow Ribbon Program Creates Golden Opportunity
Delaware man becomes Ohio Wesleyan’s first tuition-free military veteran

Ohio Wesleyan University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are helping Stephen Wright to achieve his educational goals by providing him with free tuition. For the 30-year-old Delaware, Ohio, native, it’s a gift tied with a Yellow Ribbon.

Wright, who completed five tours of duty with the U.S. Navy, is Ohio Wesleyan’s first student to benefit from the University’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program.

“I don’t mind being Ohio Wesleyan’s guinea pig,” Wright says with a smile. “Everyone has been so helpful in making sure that all of my paperwork is completed correctly and that every question is answered. I’ve received such personal attention. Everywhere I go, people say: ‘I know you. You’re the Yellow Ribbon guy.’ ”

The Yellow Ribbon Program is part of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The act allows U.S. colleges and universities to voluntarily work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide free or reduced-cost tuition to eligible veterans.

Wright had just completed his first year at a nearby public university when he learned of Ohio Wesleyan’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

“I called right away,” he says, “and I told all of my friends. This is such a wonderful benefit for veterans.”

As for his service, Wright joined the Navy about a year after graduating from Hayes High School. He then served for nine years, including a tour as a Navy sniper in the Middle East. During his time in the Suez Canal area, he helped to inspect more than 80 ships suspected of piracy.

“At least half the time, we discovered evidence of human trafficking,” Wright says.

Wright also spent time as a Navy firefighter, more officially known as a Damage Controlman First Class, or DC 1, and as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he taught fire science and naval architecture. He completed his service in March 2008.

At Ohio Wesleyan, Wright is majoring in economics. He is especially interested in OWU’s entrepreneurship classes. After graduation, if not before, he hopes to open a microbrewery in downtown Delaware.

Wright says he was just days away from acquiring a VA loan earlier this year when interest rates suddenly soared for the program. So for now, he’s happy to work on earning his degree.

“I realize now that some of my original ideas for the microbrewery weren’t so smart,” Wright says. “I want to get my degree knocked out so that I know what I’m doing on the business side.”

When Wright moves forward with his business venture, he anticipates using a heroes theme that recognizes the contributions made to society by firefighters, police officers, and, of course, military personnel.

Wright says he is pleased that Ohio Wesleyan has recognized the service and sacrifice of military veterans by participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. He also hopes to help the University share news of the opportunity with other veterans.

Ohio Wesleyan President Rock Jones says the University is equally pleased to have Wright on campus and to offer Yellow Ribbon benefits.

“Stephen’s background in the Navy, including his service in the Middle East and his time as an academy instructor, adds to the breadth and depth of the experience available to students at Ohio Wesleyan,” Jones says. “We are pleased to be able to help veterans like him to receive strong liberal arts educations at Ohio Wesleyan.”

According to current program guidelines, U.S. military veterans are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, if they:

• Are entitled to the maximum (100 percent) benefit rate from the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• Have served an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, of at least 36 months.
• Have been honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and have served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.
• Are the dependent of a veteran eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• Apply to and meet the participating college’s requirements for admission.

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Program, including eligibility requirements, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs online at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_info/ch33/yellow_ribbon.htm. For information about Ohio Wesleyan’s participation in the program, contact the Admission Office at (740) 368-3020.

– Cole Hatcher