Kimberly Settlemyre, daughter of a Veteran, shares her heartfelt reflections for Month of the Military Child
Royal Oak, MI – Baker College joins the nation in recognizing the Month of the Military Child, a time dedicated to honoring the resilience, sacrifices, and contributions of children in military families. Alongside this acknowledgment, Baker College celebrates its recent achievement of being designated as a Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly School for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Month of the Military Child, observed annually in April in the United States, serves as a reminder of the unique challenges faced by children growing up in military households. These individuals often navigate the complexities of frequent relocations, deployments of parents, and other aspects of military life with unwavering strength and courage.
Baker Muskegon Nursing Student student Kimberly Settlemyre is proud to be a military child, as she attributes her experience as the reason she truly appreciates the simple act of saying, ‘thank you.’ “Not every person understands the importance of what it means for Veterans to hear ‘thank you for your service,’ and being a Military child has made that a part of my everyday life when I encounter a Veteran,” Settlemyre said. She mentions the memories she has of talking with her dad for hours about fun times with his buddies on their base and how challenging it is to see him endure daily physical pain. But with her May nursing graduation approaching, she has a career ahead of her where she can make a difference in the lives of others with similar challenges.
“I also encourage others to never be afraid to show who you are and tell your story, as these stories can be eye opening for many students– especially for those who may share a similar journey,” Settlemyre said.
Baker College is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where military-affiliated students can thrive academically and personally. Thus, has been awarded the Military Friendly® Schools award with a Silver rating in the Private offering Doctorate category– an accolade reflecting the college’s commitment to providing sustainable and meaningful education pathways for the military community.
“We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in supporting military-affiliated students and their families. At Baker College, we understand the unique needs of military families and are committed to providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed. This designation reaffirms our ongoing dedication to serving those who have served our country,” said Dr. Voula Erfouth, Vice President for Student Success and Engagement.
Baker College extends its sincere gratitude to military families for their service and sacrifices and reaffirms its commitment to providing them with the highest quality education and support.
The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students, and covers institutions offering certificate programs to doctoral degrees.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.