Honoring the College of Charleston's Student-Veterans and Donors
The College of Charleston celebrated its veteran and military students and the donors who support them.
(l–r): Mark Harde, Thomas Brueckner, David Underhay, Tucker Polk and Edgar Ripoll
In celebration of those who have served the United States, the College of Charleston held an event to honor the College’s veterans, current service members and the donors who have enhanced the Veteran and Military Student Services program.
President Andrew T. Hsu told of Gerald (Jerry) Polis ’62, who served in Vietnam. To honor military veterans for their service, Polis established the Gerald D. Polis Family/Annual Veterans Scholarship in 2018. Until he passed away in 2023, Polis not only provided a scholarship, but he also mentored his scholarship recipients. He and his wife, Beth Polis, gifted funds to spruce up the Veterans and Military Student Services lounge in the Lightsey Center, which is now called Jerry’s Place.
President Hsu also spoke of the tremendous gift from the Schoen Foundation, which came through the founders’ granddaughter, Kelsey Sutton ’14, who wanted to give back to her alma mater because of the profound impact it had on her life. Sutton’s family foundation is dedicated to breaking down barriers for veteran and military students; their gift will improve the student experience by giving them access to more resources to thrive on campus.
The growth of the Veterans and Military Student Services program would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of Suzanne Austin, executive vice president and provost of the Division of Academic Affairs. She believed the College could do more and be more for those who served the United States.
“Provost Austin has been a driving force behind this program and the champion for our student endeavors,” says Hsu. “Her dedication, energy and commitment to building a stronger university for our veterans and military students are part of the reason we are here today.”
Austin spoke of the positive impact veteran and active-duty military students bring to the College of Charleston campus and how excited she is to have more opportunities for them to succeed.
“It’s so important that we welcome veterans to the College because they bring a richness and a lived experience to the classroom and campus,” says Austin. “We are fortunate to get to study and work alongside both veterans and active-duty service members.”
Air Force veteran Koly Sonnier, a studio art major and art history minor, shared how she served for more than eight years and decided to make a 180-degree career change from what she did in the military. She looked at several schools and chose the College because she saw that CofC has a veteran’s program and lounge.
“I felt immense relief knowing there is a place for us,” says Sonnier. “I think one of the main fears that all veterans have when they get out is where they belong. Who is going to be there for them? Will they have friends from the service after they get out?
“Having that support, community and camaraderie help,” she adds, noting how many more opportunities are now available thanks to the Schoen Foundation. “I have found the College of Charleston to be an amazing institution. I developed strong connections with my professors and have improved my art and my voice. I am confident I will make it when I graduate.”
Sonnier demonstrates how a supportive environment can be a game changer for the College’s veteran and military students.
