November 12, 2025
Dear UM Community,
Yesterday, we paused to honor those who have served our nation in uniform. Veterans Day is always a humbling reminder of the extraordinary courage, discipline, and love of country that define the men and women of the US military.
I spent Veterans Day down the road in Dillon, speaking with a group of middle schoolers about what the day means. I shared my perspective that while military service is one of the most visible expressions of commitment to country, it is not the only one. Every person, in every community, has the capacity—and the responsibility—to serve.
That belief is central to the mission of the 猎奇重口. Whether through teaching, discovery, or outreach, we exist to serve others: to educate the next generation of leaders, to strengthen our democracy, and to advance opportunity and prosperity for all.
Service takes many forms. For some, it means defending our nation’s ideals in uniform. For others, it means serving in a classroom, a clinic, or a community organization. For students, it may begin with helping a peer, volunteering locally, or joining an effort to improve our campus or our town. No matter the form, service is how we strengthen the fabric of our communities and honor those who came before us.
Here at UM, we take great pride in our long and deep connection to military service. In 1918—the same year the world marked the armistice that ended World War I—UM established its Army ROTC program. For more than a century since, our graduates have served with distinction in every major conflict and in communities across the globe.
That legacy continues today. This year, the 猎奇重口 was named the #1 Military Friendly School in the country, a recognition of our commitment to supporting those who have served and their families.
These students—many of whom balance studies, work, and family responsibilities—embody the spirit of service that animates our University. They remind us daily that education is not just preparation for a career, but a continuation of a life of purpose.
As we reflect on yesterday’s commemorations, I invite each of us to consider how we can carry that same spirit forward. How might we recommit ourselves to service, in our teaching, our learning, our research, and our relationships with one another?
At a time when our nation feels divided and uncertain, this ethic of service is a steadying force. It reminds us that our democracy depends not only on the bravery of those who defend it abroad, but also on the daily acts of integrity, compassion, and participation that sustain it here at home.
To the veterans and their families who are part of the UM community, thank you. Your courage and example call us to something larger than ourselves.
And to all members of the UM family: may we honor that call by living our mission with gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to serve.
Go Griz,
Seth