ESU will honor military veterans, university volunteers at Salute to Service 2025
Emporia, KS (11/10/2025) — Emporia State University will welcome retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Fran Oleen, district director of the U.S. House of Representatives, to campus on Nov. 15 for Salute to Service 2025, the university's annual recognition of U.S. military veterans and those who generously volunteer their time to ESU.
The day's festivities begin at 9 a.m. with an open house at the Bloomer Veterans Hall of Honor and Student Veterans Center in Memorial Union in the heart of ESU's campus. The recently renovated Veterans Center provides ESU's student veterans with private meeting areas to relax, study and hold outreach activities.
Oleen (BS 92 - Political Science), a former deputy attorney general for the Kansas Attorney General's Office and a longtime service member with the Kansas National Guard, will be the featured speaker at the Veterans Celebration and Flag Ceremony at 10 a.m. on the Plumb Hall lawn. This free event is open to the public. Register at emporia.link/VeteranCelebration.
At 11 a.m., the ESU Alumni Association will provide lunch for ESU military veterans and volunteers at the Live at the Hive alumni tent prior to the Hornets' 1 p.m. football game against Fort Hays State. Registration is required for the lunch. Participants should register online at emporia.edu/salute2025.
ESU will also honor two of this year's recipients of the University Service Citation Award, Josiah D'Albini and Joyce French, during the football game at Welch Stadium. The University Service Citation Award honors unique and significant service to the university by alumni, friends or former employees.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
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A patriotic display on ESU's Plumb Hall marks Veterans Day and will serve as the backdrop for the university's annual Veterans Celebration and Flag Ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.