< PreviousUNIVERSITY NEW S 61 The transition to college life can be daunting for incoming freshmen, but for a university’s student veteran population, it can be even more of a challenge. At Auburn University—which again recently was named one of the Auburn’s student veterans not only adjust, but thrive. Established in 2012, the VRC serves as many as 350 student veterans and approximately 1,300 survivors, spouses, and dependents at a time. Whether it’s assisting with man- agement of Veterans Affairs benefits, providing a welcoming place for veterans and dependents to relax and commiserate, or organizing events that promote togetherness and camara- derie, the VRC is a great asset for Auburn’s veteran family. Located at 217 Foy Hall, the VRC is directed by retired U.S. Navy Capt. Paul “Puck” Esposito, a 30-year veteran who knows what student veterans are facing when they enroll in college. “If you could imagine sitting in a military barracks some- where and two weeks later, you’re sitting in a classroom at Au- burn,” said Esposito, VRC director since 2016. “That’s a big step, and our veterans are usually considerably older than their peers in class. Some of them may have attempted school before, and some this may be their first attempt. They have very different life experiences, and some of them are supporting families.” Esposito and his team provide student veterans information and guidance about everything from financial aid, housing, and job placement to navigating their way around campus. Through its Auburn Warrior Orientation and Learning, or AWOL, program, the VRC pairs new student veterans with a fellow veteran to show them around and serve as an advisor. One of Auburn’s student veterans, senior Justin Schwab, has benefited greatly from the AWOL program and the VRC in general. The building construction major—who spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps from age 19-24—has taken a leadership role among his peers, serving as president of the “We do our own version of Camp War Eagle, and we actually take them by where their classes will be and all over campus,” said Schwab, 33, who rose to the rank of sergeant. “We walk them through the AU Access [computer system] and let them know what they need to know for Day 1 so they’re not lost and trying to figure it out while they’re at their first Auburn classes.” Schwab first became involved with the ASVA by participating in Veterans Association, or CVA, at the University of Alabama where participants complete a 150-mile march between the universities’ stadiums. Marchers carry a 22-pound rucksack representing the 22 veterans who are lost to suicide each day, and items from the rucksacks are donated to charity. The annual Thanksgiving week event garners considerable media attention throughout the state and prompted Auburn graduate and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to designate the special day Operation Iron Ruck Day last year. Esposito’s efforts at the VRC received a boost recently when U.S. Army veteran Plains from Iowa State University as the Rosemary Kopel Brown Chair and professor of mathematics in the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Schenck—who was selected as a 2020 Fellow for the American Mathematical Society—has brought a high-energy approach and a bundle of positivity to the university and the VRC. Schenck partnered with the VRC to set up an intensive one-day workshop at the start of the semester to help refresh student veterans on basic math skills. The Math Boot Camp program brings student veterans up to speed on algebra, trigonometry, log and exponential functions, and other math tools that may be rusty. “My own experience is what catalyzed me to do it, because I know how hard it was for me coming back to school,” said Schenck, who served from 1986-90. “We’ve got these folks who have been out for two, three, four, six years serving our country and not doing math. Math is one of the biggest hur- dles because it’s one of the subjects where, if you don’t use it, you forget it.” Getting involved with the VRC and connecting with other student veterans deepens an individual’s college experience, especially those who also are involved with the ASVA. “I really feel like we’ve made a difference, not just within the community, but within the state,” Schwab said. “We feel like we’re really making some strides and doing some good things, and Auburn and the Student Veterans Association is what gave us the ability to do that. This place will forever be a part of me, no matter where I go from here.” A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M Auburn Student Veterans Association members were honored at the 2019 Iron Bowl for participation in Operation Iron Ruck to raise awareness for veteran suicide. Auburn senior Justin Schwab, president of the Auburn Student Veterans Association, holds a proclamation from Auburn alumna and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declaring Operation Iron Ruck Day last year. UNIVERSITY NEWS Auburn’s Veterans Resource Center provides support for student veterans BY NEAL REID NEW C OMER Q&A: JEREMIAH WRIGHT 63 Q: What made you choose Auburn? A: I chose Auburn because of the family traditions. I loved how they treated me on my visits, and I kept coming back up to tour everything and see how it all was because I loved the strong family traditions. Q: What makes Auburn football special? A: I get to bond with my teammates. I met some of them when I was still in high school, and some when I was at camps. Being around all of them, seeing their backgrounds, where they come from and the reasons why they play this game helps us get to know each other. Now, we’re all like family. Q: Who has taken you under their wing and helped you adjust to college? A: I would say any senior or any upperclassman has been that person. They all gave me advice on how class would be and how much different it would be this year and how to adjust to it. They told me what to do and what to stay away from and how important it is to be on time for class, workouts, and other stuff. Q: Where is your dream vacation destination? A: I would want to go somewhere far away. I don’t even know where I’d go, but it would somewhere with a big beach. I love to swim and I love water so I’d go somewhere I can take my family. Q: What is one word you’d use to describe yourself on the field and one word you’d use to describe yourself off the field? A: Off the field, I would say hardworking. I love to work out and I love to try to get better each and every day. On the field, I look at myself as a beast. That’s what I have in my mind. That no one can stop me. When I get out there on the field, that’s what is running through my head every day. Nobody can stop you if you work hard enough. Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three teammates would you bring and why? A: I would bring J.J. Evans, Desmond Tisdol and Cam Riley. The reason I would bring them is because they’re very funny. It would be a fun experience with us four together because even though we’d be stranded on the island and probably scared, we’d still have fun because we always find something funny to talk about and something to do. We’ll figure out a way to get on track or get back home eventually. Q: How would your friends and family describe you in three words? A: One would be big because I am big; I’ve been big since I was a kid. Talented because I played both baseball and football growing up. Also, they’d call me smart because I’m always making sure I get my schoolwork done and I try to keep all A’s. Q: Does your jersey number hold a special meaning for you? A: I’m 76 now and it was the closest to 77 that was available. I wore 77 when I started playing in middle school. I may change it, but I love my number now. Q: What are your goals athletically? A: To get better each and every day. I don’t know what’s ahead for me, so I try to work hard and do what I’m supposed to each and every day because I want the best outcome in the future. I don’t want to look back and regret the things I could’ve done. I try to be the best I can be every day. Q: What are your goals academically? A: I want to make sure I maintain all A’s during my years here. Q: What branch of engineering are you interested in and what do you want to do with that degree? A: I’m doing mechanical because I like hands-on stuff. My dad and my uncle do construction so seeing what they do and helping them with that company in the summers has helped me focus on what I’d like to do someday. Q: What does “War Eagle” mean to you? A: To me, it represents family and hard work at the same time. Since coming to Auburn, I’ve watched this team and have seen how everyone interacts. We all have a bond with each other and have each others’ backs. It is one big brotherhood. NEWCOMER Q&A BY TUCKER CLEVERDON A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M JEREMIAH WRIGHT POS T SEASON TROPHY W INNERS 65 n Zeke Smith 1958 Outland Trophy n Tracy Rocker 1988 Outland Trophy & Lombardi Award n Carlos Rogers 2004 Jim Thorpe Award n Nick Fairley 2010 Lombardi Award n Reese Dismukes 2014 Rimington Trophy n Derrick Brown 2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy POST SEASON TROPHY WINNERS A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M66 TIGERS IN THE NFL TIGERS IN THE NFL A UBURNTI G ERS.C OM PEYTON BARBER KERRYON JOHNSON DEE FORD JOSH BYNES DARIUS SLAYTON DERRICK BROWN BRADEN SMITHTIGERS IN THE NFL 67 TIGERS IN THE NFL A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M CAM NEWTON DANIEL CARLSONCARLTON DAVIS Auburn in the NFL (as of October 28, 2020) Montravius Adams DT Green Bay Packers Peyton Barber RB Washington Football Team Angelo Blackson DL Arizona Cardinals Derrick Brown DL Carolina Panthers Josh Bynes LB Cincinnati Bengals Daniel Carlson PK Las Vegas Raiders Shon Coleman OL San Francisco 49ers Chandler Cox FB Miami Dolphins Marlon Davidson DL Atlanta Falcons Carlton Davis DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamel Dean DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jack Driscoll OT Philadelphia Eagles Dee Ford DE San Francisco 49ers Rudy Ford DB Philadelphia Eagles Josh Harris LS Atlanta Falcons Mike Horton OL Carolina Panthers Noah Igbinoghene DB Miami Dolphins Kerryon Johnson RB Detroit Lions Jonathan Jones DB New England Patriots Brandon King DB New England Patriots Carl Lawson DE Cincinnati Bengals Cam Newton QB New England Patriots Cody Parkey K Cleveland Browns Dontavius Russell DL Jacksonville Jaguars Chad Slade OL New York Giants Darius Slayton WR New York Giants Braden Smith OL Indianapolis Colts Jarrett Stidham QB New England Patriots Daniel Thomas DB Jacksonville Jaguars Neiko Thorpe DB Seattle Seahawks C.J. Uzomah TE Cincinnati Bengals D’haquille Williams WR Buffalo Bills ALSO AU LETTERMEN: Byron Cowart DL New England Patriots John Franklin III DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers PRACTICE SQUADS: Arryn Siposs (Detroit), Prince Tega Wanogho (Philadelphia), Nick Coe (Miami), Derrick Moncrief (LA Rams), Daren Bates (Tennessee), Devaroe Lawrence (Washington) Next >