Michael Frazer Garcia, a business management and technology major at
Mines and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is a finalist for the national Student
Veteran of the Year award.
The organization Student Veterans of
America (SVA) has announced that South Dakota Mines student Michael Frazer Garcia--
“Frazer,” a business management in technology major and U.S. Marine Corps
veteran is a finalist for the national “Student Veteran of
the Year”
award.
Frazer Garcia is
from Brandon, SD. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 2012 and served
abroad in several locations. Michael was introduced to Student Veterans of
America in his second semester at Mines; he then became active within the
chapter holding several officer positions: treasurer, secretary and president.
Michael not only held active positions in South Dakota Mines Veterans Club, he
also held positions on campus as the PR Chair for the student association and academic
chair for Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
“This nomination is
not just about me, it’s about all those around me. I would not be here without the
support of my wife and friends, everyone in the South Dakota Mines Veterans
Club, and the gentlemen of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity,” says Frazer Garcia.
SVA states, “The
Student Veteran of the Year Award recognizes outstanding leadership by a
student veteran during the past year. This award represents the best of the
student veteran community and the epitome of character, scholarship, and
accomplishment, among today’s student veterans. The Student Veteran of the Year
is someone who has provided leadership, inspiration and mentorship to fellow
student veterans. This person works in collaboration with other campus leaders
to champion student veterans on their campus leaving their chapter, campus and
community better than they found it. They are committed to SVA’s mission of
providing peer-support to fellow student veterans, thereby empowering them to
become leaders on campus and beyond. They lead by example by embodying strong
morals, high standards, and academic achievement.”
“Since
the day Michael started to attend classes at South Dakota Mines he has been
willing to jump in and help wherever he could,” says Derek Flom, director of
the Veterans Resource Center at Mines. “Michael is a very humble person but his
leadership as the president of the Veterans Club has been absolutely
phenomenal. To be a finalist for Student Veteran of the Year is a tremendous
achievement and is a true testament to Michael and his dedication to his fellow
veteran students. I am extremely thankful for all he does and congratulate him
on this well-deserved recognition.”
Frazer Garcia is also
active in Mines’ Veterans Resource
Center (VRC). Its mission is to fulfill our country's promise to care for and honor
the men and women who are America's Veterans. The VRC provides South Dakota
Mines veterans with a relaxing place to study or simply connect with other
campus veterans. The center offers tutoring,
assistance with jobs and internships, help navigating college financing and
much more.
South Dakota Mines
is routinely ranked among the
best schools for veterans in the United States. This includes the organization Military Friendly which places Mines
among the top 10 schools in the nation for veterans.
The national Student
Veteran of the Year winner will be announced Friday, Jan. 7 at the SVA National
Conference in Florida.