Supporting Veteran Students

Meet Lee Anderson, West Point graduate and chairman of APi Group, Inc. As a veteran, he has a special appreciation of the support that his fellow vets need in a college environment. Anderson’s lead gift to establish the Veterans Resource Center gives confidence to veteran students that the University of St. Thomas is with them all the way in helping them achieve their educational goals.

Allison Kruse served in the Marine Corps for five years and was not even considering St. Thomas as a college option.

An aunt picked her up from a different college tour and took Allison to St. Thomas for a look. “A transfer counselor was available to talk, and it was decided after that. The fact that the St. Thomas Veterans Association was emerging as an accommodating service for veterans was crucial in my decision to choose St. Thomas.”

Allison is a neuroscience major and would like to work with memory-care patients who have Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and she credits St. Thomas benefactors with creating a wonderful physical space and services for veterans.

“Our donors have given us a space for friendships to build and for us to take ownership of our education without leaving behind our military experience ... We are eternally grateful and have the utmost respect for the ones fueling our success with financial and emotional support.”