In honor of Veterans Day and those who have served in the military, NSU held multiple events to showcase the work of veterans and pay tribute to them on campus. One of them is a veteran-dedicated art exhibit called “Art of Duty” in the Alvin Sherman Library, which opened on Oct. 20 and will remain open until Jan. 8.
Three events, which took place this month to salute the bravery and service of veterans, are the Ask the Artist panel as part of the Art of Duty Exhibit, the Forman Field Dedication, and the culminating Veterans Day Celebration.
Ask the Artist
The “Art of Duty” exhibit showcases poetry, photography and paintings of 11 veteran artists with the addition of civilians displaying military-themed artwork. The exhibit was curated in a collaboration between the Alvin Sherman Library and the NSU Military Affairs Veterans Resource Center.
The “Ask the Artist” panel on Nov. 7 invited the veteran artists to share their experiences as post 9/11 veterans and the inspiration behind their artwork.
Senior Director of Military Affairs Mathew Chenworth and University Archivist Gena Meroth led the event with prepared questions for the artists focusing on their experiences in the military and their connection with the art they created.
Justin Eggen, former U.S. Marine Corps and two-time national award-winning poet, had his collection of poems featured in the exhibition. Eggen shared what inspired him to write poetry and how his work helped him overcome hardships.
“When writing poetry, words are powerful and at the end of the day we’ve all been hurt by words, we’ve all been uplifted by words,” said Eggen. “Writing poetry is a good motivator to address your trauma but also helps to have a better understanding and connection of it so it doesn’t affect you in a negative way.”
Former U.S. Marine Corps Mathew Oraze also attended alongside his family and answered questions regarding his pieces “Papa Pig Putin” and “Kim Jong Meow,” portraits of dictators as animals. Oraze said the inspiration behind his artwork was a conversation about dictators and animals with his son over dinner.
Oraze’s work was a favorite for Mia Joseph, senior business administration major.
“I really enjoyed the deck of cards piece and the duality of serving and then going into another career. Whether it’s continuing service, being a nun, or just going off and finding your new adventures,” said Joseph. “I also liked Pig Putin and Jong Meow, that was one of my favorite pieces, and it’s been a big hit with a lot of people.”
The phrase “every veteran has their own story” was demonstrated at the “Ask the Artist” event through the various types of artworks created. Some artists used charcoal to create their work whilst others used paint or pencil. Many of these pieces depicted the journey and trauma of veterans in the military while few focused on life outside of the military.
Forman Field Dedication
The Forman Field Dedication event on Nov. 11 was a ceremony held by the Office of Military Affairs in honor of the Forman family at the NSU Armed Forces Service Flag Plaza outside the Horvitz Administration Building.
The event played tribute to the Forman family and their impact on higher education. The plaza will be renamed “U.S. Military Service Plaza at Forman Field.”
The plaque dedicated to the Forman family commemorated U.S army veteran Hamilton C. Forman and Charles R. Forman who led the creation of the state’s junior college system. Two additional plaques were added to give recognition to the donors.
President and Chief Executive Officer of NSU, George L. Hanbury II gave an opening speech, recounting the story of the Forman brothers, their family and their vision.
“No one loved this country more than the Forman brothers and their family. Now we are giving honor in perpetuity to a family that has long been forgotten as generations come and go,” said Hanbury II. “We would not be here if were not for the Forman brothers and the Forman family’s love of not only their country but of love of education.”
Eighty years ago, what is now considered Broward County was owned by the Forman family as farming land. During World War II, the
U.S. government turned the land into a U.S Navy air training facility named Forman Field. At the end of the war, the U.S government sold the land back to the family, who used the land to create an educational facility. That land is now home to NSU, Broward College and the Florida Atlantic University campuses.
As part of the unveiling ceremony, the son of one of the Forman brothers, Charles R. Forman, spoke about his father’s and his brother Hamilton’s vision and contribution to education.
“I know Doc and Hamilton are really smiling down today. This was their hope. They loved education and they worked hour after hour,” Forman said. “Collins and I got to go through Nova starting with seventh grade and it was a great experience, a great education for us. But for all that’s come after, it’s just been spectacular.”
Veterans Day Celebration
This celebration of Veterans Day on Nov. 11 was planned by the Office of Military Affairs to honor veterans, military-affiliated students and faculty and community supporters.
The celebration was led by Senior Director of Military Affairs, Mathew Chenworth. He introduced the guest speaker, highlighted the achievements and impact of veteran students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus, and bestowed recognition awards.
With more than 23 years of military experience, Lieutenant Colonel Heath E. Papkov was featured in the Veterans Day celebration as a distinguished speaker. Colonel Papkov is the chair professor of military science and leadership for the Southern Strike Battalion, consisting of 17 instructors and over 220 cadets across nine university campuses, including NSU.
Papkov shared a personal story of meeting a Vietnam veteran while in the supermarket with his family.
“Sometimes all we have to do in life is listen and that’s enough to grant all the respect in the world to our veterans. I tell this story, not just because I want to tell a story that we must always thank our Vietnam vets, which we should do,” Papkov said. “But it’s to never forget the past, good or bad. Because you will never learn how you can move forward as a society, as a country and as a nation, and constantly get better.”
As part of the celebration, a NSU veteran student, faculty member, staff member, alumna and cadet were awarded a military coin.
Nursing student Shanae Harris was one of the 20 student veterans nominated. She received an award recognizing her accomplishments on campus. Harris continued her education, pursuing her BSN, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, while being a full-time mother and actively drilling in the Army Reserves.
“Harris consistently reinforces the amazing American patriotic values to everyone she meets. She cares for her classmates and is always representing the students, encouraging everyone in every way that she can,” said Chenworth.
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