Azusa Pacific University, a national leader in military and veterans education and success, celebrated the opening of its new Military and Veterans Center (MVC) on April 14. The festivities included a color guard posting of the flags by APU ROTC; a performance of the national anthem by APU music students; a Scripture reading and prayer by Rio J. Martinez, military and veteran coach; remarks from Adam J. Morris, PhD, APU president; Steve Perry, APU trustee; Brent Theobald, MVC executive director; Audrey Ramirez, president of APU’s Veterans Club; and Leaum Pettigrew, veteran and cadet battalion commander for the Golden Lions Battalion; and a prayer of dedication by Lucie Moore, JD, APU Board of Trustees chair. The ribbon cutting followed to commemorate the center’s official opening.
The event drew a distinguished group of leaders from local businesses, community organizations, school districts, and vital civic groups. Esteemed guests included Azusa Mayor Edward Alavarez, Glendora Mayor David Frendendall, Mayor Pro Tem Michael Allawos, City Councilwoman Karen Davis, and representatives for California State Senator Susan Rubio ’01, MAEd ’04, California State Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio ’99, MA ’03, and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
“APU has supported our veteran and military-connected students well for years, but we’re taking it to a whole new level,” Theobald said. “This new center, made possible by the largest gift in university history, will be a consolidated, one-stop location for all resources—academic, career, counseling, everything—for veteran and military-connected members of our community. Essentially, the center is a home base not only for creating community, but for veterans and military students to discover their next mission in leadership and service.”
Located on APU’s East Campus, the new $3.4 million, 3,900 sq. ft. facility includes six offices, a conference room, a training room, a lounge and study space, a kitchenette, restrooms, and an outdoor patio space for general use and special events. This space is home to five staff members to support veteran and military-connected students.
“Today, we gather not just to open the doors of a new facility, but to dedicate a special place of support and connection for those early in their military career, those on active duty, veterans who have contributed and sacrificed so much for our nation, and all the families who join these brave men and women in answering the call to such meaningful service,” Morris said.
The Military and Veterans Center has four strategic objectives: helping veterans and military-connected students define their next mission—academically, personally, professionally, and spiritually; serving as a trusted guide that removes barriers, maximizes benefits, and provides clear direction from first inquiry through graduation and beyond; building a committed community so that no APU student who serves in a family unit will navigate this chapter alone; and providing a home base that offers stability, belonging, and forward momentum as students transition from military service to their next season of calibrated leadership.
“This isn’t just a place that supports veterans—it brings people together across branches, generations, and experiences, including dependents. Here, people don’t just transition—they belong,” Ramirez said. “As a student leader, I’ve seen how spaces like this shape lives academically, professionally, and personally. This is where community is built, leadership grows, and the next chapter begins.”
APU was recently recognized with the 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School designation with Top 10 status, ranking No. 4 of all Tier 2 Research Institutions nationwide, for offering comprehensive services and support to veteran and military-connected students. The Military Friendly® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions.
APU is home to more than 400 veteran and military-connected students, who can use their GI Bill® military education benefits to earn their degrees from a top-ranked university. APU’s services for military-connected students provide a network of support to ensure a smooth transition from military to civilian life and help students maximize their military education benefits. APU, including all regional campus locations, fully complies with Executive Order 13607 establishing Principles of Excellence for educational institutions serving servicemembers, veterans, spouses, and other family members.
Since 1899, Azusa Pacific University, a top Christian higher education institution
in the nation, has helped students discover their higher calling to impact the world
for Christ. Featuring world-class faculty, an APU education leads to lifelong transformation
and eternal impact. APU offers 59 bachelor’s degrees, 34 master’s degrees, 35 certificates and credentials, and 7 doctoral programs to more than 7,000 students at the university’s main campus in Azusa, several regional locations across Southern California, and online. Learn more at apu.edu.