It was a busy road that drove Chris Mann to Pullman in 2018.
He had the option of attending the University of Washington or Washington State University. However, seeing the Seattle traffic during a visit to UW’s campus settled the matter.
“I hate traffic,” Mann said. “I toured the campus and couldn’t find a parking spot, so I pulled my application and called WSU to confirm.”
He graduates today with a double major in criminal justice and psychology.
After talking with other veterans and hearing about some of the challenges they face, Mann and others began meeting with the WSU administration. They set up a symposium to discuss issues faced by veterans and their families. That led to a realization that more resources were needed just to certify the paperwork required to receive VA benefits. Steps are also being taken to address health care access, so vets don’t have to go to Spokane or Walla Walla for treatment.