News
NYIT at the NYC Veterans Day Parade
November 13, 2018
Pictured: More than 60 NYIT students, faculty, and staff marched in the New York City Veterans Day Parade on November 11. Photo by Andrew Lai (B.F.A.’13, M.A.’15).
More than 60 NYIT student veterans, faculty, and staff marched in the 2018 New York City Veterans Day Parade on November 11. This is the first year NYIT had an official designation in the parade.
“I believe [our participation] demonstrates our commitment in showing support and appreciation to our troops and veterans around the world, most importantly to our NYIT student veterans,” said Patthara Chandaragga, M.A., student advisement specialist for hospitality management in NYIT School of Management. “We have a lot of resources available to NYIT student veterans from veteran lounges and events to dedicated staff including the Veteran Support committee members.”
Chandaragga organized the group’s participation with the NYIT Student Veterans Organization. “In 2016, I was watching the parade route and I was inspired by the experience and had set a goal [for myself] to do something for the veterans and military community,” she said. “As the parade marchers went by, I started to notice numerous colleges marching. I thought I had to somehow make sure that NYIT took part in this.”
The student veterans were especially proud to march in the parade with NYIT. “This was a great way to show support for our military veterans and student veterans who have and continually place the welfare of the nation before their own,” said finance major Samuel Osho, who is currently serving in the United States National Guard.
With the support of Robert Koenig, Ed.D., associate professor and chair of Hospitality Management, and the Debra A. Vogel Student Advancement Program, she was able to get the NYIT-branded banners and American flags.
“It was a great honor to be able to represent NYIT and participate in the New York City Veterans Day Parade,” said Randall O’Shea, a computer science major and active member of the United States Air Force. “As a student veteran, I am so glad to see the university making strides toward being known as a school that veterans can count on for support. This was the first year that NYIT had a presence in the parade; however, we have already started planning for next year’s parade and will have an even bigger presence!”
