Recent Testimonials
I must say, that my experience at Rutgers-Camden University was a great one. Great professors and faculty that allowed my experience to be a smooth process in obtaining my degree. However, what made it into an even better experience was the fact that Rutgers-Camden is such a veteran friendly university. Being a veteran myself, having the privilege to being involved with the university's veterans group was great. With the help of the university veterans representative, Fred Davis, veterans at the school are able to take advantage of many amenities that help veterans transition into the civilian world and succeed in their education. The veterans group at Rutgers-Camden has provided many positive things to veterans on and off campus, and to the community as well. Overall, being part of the veterans group made my Rutgers experience a great one.
Eric Flecha US Navy Veteran
My name is Tim DelCollo, a four-year active duty Army vet, and now a student at Temple University. A fellow veteran, who is now a graduate of Rutgers University Camden, had talked me into giving school a try after about three years of working as a civilian after returning home. I did not think that school had been a viable option at the time as I had not taken SAT’s and my high school grades were average, if not poor. However, after talking with a very informative Rutgers Camden student veteran, Josh Piccolo, I had made a decision to give it a try. I was introduced to Fred Davis, Campus Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs at Rutgers Camden. Fred’s persistence and genuine desire to help veterans had given me a chance to attend college on the beautiful campus at Rutgers. The vibe around the veterans’ lounge was very welcoming and Fred had always been stopping by to make sure his vets were squared away with any issues that they might have had with school, or anything for that matter. There was a great presence from the RU-Camden Office of Veterans Affairs regarding their involvement with the student veteran population as there where many formal and social events held for us. I can attest to the comparisons in schools and say that a proactive veterans program, such as that of RU Camden, is not a given at all big universities, as one might expect. I would highly recommend talking with Fred Davis if you are a new veteran living in the tri-state area and have thoughts about school.
Timothy DelCollo, US Army veteran
I graduated from Rutgers University – Camden in 2011. I still look back and can remember the important role Mr. Fred Davis, Office of Veterans Affairs, and the Rutgers student Veterans Association played in my college experience at Rutgers.
The transition from military to college life can feel overwhelming and challenging. While there was an adjustment to my new lifestyle as I entered Rutgers University – Camden, Fred Davis and his team made my transition feel seamless. Occasionally there could be issues with the VA regarding education benefits, enrolling, making sure payments were received for my classes, etc., but any issue I had was quickly resolved with the assistance of Mr. Davis and the Veterans Affairs office.
The Veterans lounge was another great resource I used frequently during my time at Rutgers University - Camden. This was a place to relax, study, and reach out/connect with fellow Veterans. Leaving the military and no longer having the constant camaraderie you are familiar with can be difficult. In the Veterans lounge I found those feelings of Camaraderie again within the other student Veterans who were going through similar situations and the transition to college life.
The constant support and encouragement Fred Davis gave to each Veteran student was far beyond his job description. A dedicated Veteran advocate, Mr. Davis was constantly introducing fellow Veterans to one another, planning group social activities, establishing/maintaining the Veteran lounge, coordinating fundraising events for the Jeremy Kane Scholarship Fund, assisting students in future employment opportunities, and encouraging overall growth of each Veteran on campus.
I can’t express enough gratitude for Fred Davis and the Office of Veterans Affairs at Rutgers – Camden. The dedication and overall determination to form a deeply committed Veterans Affairs office for all incoming student Veterans at Rutgers University – Camden was admirable. I will forever be thankful for Mr. Fred Davis and the Rutgers University – Camden office of Veterans Affairs and the experience they bestowed upon me during my time at Rutgers University – Camden.
Erin M. Lloyd (US Navy)
The Rutgers University Camden Office of Veterans Affairs along with the Student Veterans at Rutgers Camden student club provided me with the support I needed to be successful in college.
Several years ago when I made the decision to go back to college, I was unsure if I could be successful. At the time, I was already in my mid-twenties and had gone from serving as a Marine Corps Combat Infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan to doing several manual labor jobs. So the thought of writing papers and taking exams definitely intimidated me. However, from the first day I stepped foot on campus prior to the start of my first semester, Veterans Affairs Director Fred Davis ensured me that I would not be alone in my quest to become a college graduate.
Rutgers Camden through its Veterans Affairs office provides student veterans with the necessary resources to be successful in college. Resources such as its own new student veteran orientation gives student veterans their own allotted time to pick classes in a pressure free environment and allows them to interface and network with fellow new student veterans. Rutgers Camden is also one of the fiew universities in the state that has its own student veteran's lounge. This provides yet another venue for student veterans to network and make friends. It was by spending time in the lounge that I became more involved with the Student Veterans at Rutgers Camden, the schools very own student veteran club. Moreover, by becoming more involved with the student group, my college tenure suddenly had a deeper purpose. In the end, not only was I able to successfully graduate, but I graduated cum laude with an employment opportunity waiting for me after graduation made possible by the contacts I made through the Rutgers University Camden Office of Veterans Affairs.
The Rutgers-camden Office of Veterans Affairs is a great asset to the school's prospective and current student veteran population as well as alumni such as myself.
Whether you need help getting your GI Bill benefits started or you are having a bad day and need someone to talk to, Fred Davis and his fellow staff are there to assist you.
There were plenty of times that I used the veteran's lounge to get some homework done or just to read the latest issue of the Army Times.
Rutgers student veterans association has helped me transistion from military to college life. The association provided me with access to constant support by being readily available whenever I needed advice.
Mr. Fred Davis (Director) was always present to answer and assist with any problems that I may encounter whether it's with the university or with my personal life. Transitioning to civilian life wasn't always easy, especially when you are pursuing a degree during your transistion. The RU-Camden office of Veterans Affairs assisted me every step of the way. They always made sure my paperwork was submitted on time. The veterans lounge provided me with a place to be among my peers and at the same time relax and/or study. I've utilized the lounge on many occasions and it helped me to successfully prepare for my classes for the day and to submit my online assignments without disturbance.
Whenever I had any concerns, the veterans office always ensured that I know what kind of services Rutgers University-Camden had available to help me. The entire RU-Camden OVA team has always presented themselves professionally and their dedication to care for veterans in all aspects of their education and transition is very admirable. I would not be here today without the assistance of their staff and the exceptional quality of their services.
The Office of Veterans Affairs at Rutgers University in Camden is a crucial and viable resource to veterans transitioning back to academia. Fred Davis, the Director, was encouraging from the beginning and made me feel as though the shift would not be as difficult as I imagined. Right from the start, I quickly realized that Rutgers-Camden goes above and beyond for the student veterans of their campus, from workshops, to the Veterans luncheon, and to the fundraising events and day trips to places like New York City; there was much more going on here that I could imagine! The Office of Veterans Affairs has always been there to answer any questions that I had, or to assist me with financial or academic concerns. I was offered a position to work with veterans in the Office of Veterans Affairs, and began advocating and working to ensure that veterans had the same attentive care and attention that I received upon the start of classes. Upon graduation, I decided that I wanted to continue my education and pursue something greater. As an assistant in the Office of Veterans Affairs, I was afforded the opportunity to meet with BG Flora Darpino, a Rutgers Camden Law graduate and guest speaker at our luncheon. Subsequently, after her visit, I decided to again pursue my dream of attending law school; which I did. I am now a 1st-year law student at Rutgers School of Law in Camden, and attribute my success to the dedication and loyalty that the administration has for veterans. Without that motivation, I don’t feel as though I would have accomplished as much as I have. I am proud to be a Rutgers-Camden student and am so happy that I chose to attend this college for my undergraduate and graduate education.