Vanderbilt launches $25 million scholarship program for military veterans

Vanderbilt University has established a $25 million scholarship program for military veterans who are pursuing graduate and professional degrees in law, medicine, nursing, education and management.

The Bass Military Scholars Program, announced Wednesday, is the university’s first graduate-level scholarship program in which individuals across five schools and colleges will participate in a common service component.

In its first year, the program will fund scholarships for six veterans in the 2019-20 academic year. Once fully endowed, the program is expected to expand to 40 students annually.

“This program is specifically designed to maximize the wider Vanderbilt community’s exposure to the important lessons and experiences of military veterans,” Susan R. Wente, Vanderbilt's provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said in an interview. “At the same time, we want Vanderbilt to play an integral role in preparing those who served our country for successful careers in their civilian endeavors.”

To be considered for the program, students must be:

• Entering their first year of graduate school
• Honorably discharged from the military
• Pursuing a law degree, a master's in education, a master's in business administration or medical or nursing degrees.

More:Why the Korean War is the 'forgotten victory' for this Tennessee veteran

Once selected, scholarship recipients will participate in various opportunities throughout the program, such as organized dinners with undergraduate programs, involvement with student organizations and serving on political science panels, according to Wente.

“I think this program will support veterans who are students doing really wonderful things in our community," Wente said. "It would strengthen the connection between our military veterans and civilian populations and encourage dialogue."

Commitment to veterans

Colleges and universities are expecting a surge in veteran enrollment unseen since the end of World War II with the increasing size of post-9/11 veterans.

But various academic and veterans advocate groups have warned that many campuses are unprepared to deal with the unique needs and challenges of service members.

Veteran students face a tough transition to civilian life that ranges from readjustment issues to recovery from injuries — physical and mental. The feeling of isolation can run deeper for a new veteran student compared to a new civilian student.

More:Tennessee Marine earns his sergeant stripes 73 years after the sinking of USS Indianapolis

Without special attention and resources, veterans can fail to graduate. Although there is no official national success rate, Student Veterans of America released a first-of-its-kind report in February called the National Veteran Education Success Tracker.

According to the report, 53.6 percent of the 853,111 veterans using GI Bills who arrived on campus in the fall of 2009 graduated within a six-year period — seven-tenths of a percentage point better than the student population overall.

Wente said the Bass Military Scholars program at Vanderbilt reinforces the university's commitment to veterans — specifically to the more than 100 veteran graduate students on campus — and their success. 

"We want to help foster deep connections between the military veterans, the students and the community," she said. "And the scholars won't be isolated as they navigate their academic transition as they will work and interact together in a cohort."

Recognition for Navy alumnus

The $25 million gift and program idea came from Lee Bass, who has served on the Vanderbilt Board of Trust since 2009.

His son, Perry R. Bass II, graduated from Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science in 2010. They could not be reached for comment. 

At his request, one of the program scholarships will be reserved for a former Navy officer, and is named in honor of the university's alumnus John S. Beasley II. 

Beasley served in the Navy and received his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt in 1952 and his law degree in 1954. He retired from Vanderbilt in 1999 after a 37-year career at the university, according to Vanderbilt spokeswoman Heidi Hall. 

This isn't the first time Beasley has been honored through a scholarship. In 1995, Vanderbilt alumni conducted a secret campaign that raised more than $800,000 to endow the John S. Beasley II Honor Scholarship at the university's law school.

“The decision to name a scholarship in honor of Mr. Beasley is a touching, fitting tribute to someone who has spent his life in service — to his nation, to Vanderbilt, to the community,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos said in a statement. 

Hall said that Vanderbilt is conducting a national search for a former military officer to lead and work with Wente and deans to build out the program. 

Yihyun Jeong covers veterans and military issues for USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee. Reach her at yjeong@tennessean.com or 615-881-7309 and on Twitter  @yihyun_jeong.