ATLANTA (Aug. 15, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Defense
organization that nurtures the support of military reservists from their
private- and public-sector employers presented Brenau University on Friday,
Aug. 11, with a Seven Seals Award for its encouragement and support for
reservists.
Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Melissa Tavilla, who is
human resource adviser for the 134th Air Refueling Wing at McGhee Tyson Air
National Guard Base near Knoxville, Tennessee, nominated the university for the
prestigious Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve award. Tavilla is also
office manager and administrator for the Brenau physical therapy doctoral
program in Gainesville, Georgia.
"I'm glad that Brenau was recognized with this award,”
Tavilla said. “I hope we continue to acknowledge the unique contributions that
veterans can add to the classroom and work environment.”
Tavilla, who first came to Brenau as an undergraduate, said
she frequently had to ask professors for accommodations for some aspect of her
military duty.
"They always worked with me without any difficulty,”
she said. “Now that I've been an employee for four years while continuing my
military service, I can speak for two groups of veterans that Brenau is
supportive of men and women of service.”
Tavilla, a 26-year military veteran, completed her
undergraduate degree in conflict resolution and legal studies with honors,
which earned her the Cora Anderson Hill Award for the Brenau Women’s College
graduate with the highest grade point average at the 2015 commencement
ceremony. A few months later, she was promoted to the Air National Guard’s
highest enlisted rank
.
At the ceremony Aug. 11, Brenau President Ed Schrader
accepted the Seven Seals Award – named for the collection of emblems of the
various U.S. military reserve organizations the ESGR organization represents.
"Brenau University is grateful for this recognition,”
said Schrader, “but we are extremely grateful for all our men and women – students, faculty and staff – who serve their
country through active military duty and duty in reserves and National Guard
units around the country. Just as they are doing their duty to the country, so
are we doing our duty by providing any measure of assistance to them that we
can provide.”
Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, a Gainesville native who serves as
Adjutant General of Georgia overseeing the state’s National Guard programs,
said following the award ceremony that it is important for all employers in the
state to support Guard and Reserve personnel as Brenau does.
"It is especially important because the National Guard
personnel live in our state,” Jarrard said. “We have somebody that lives in
every county in our state. We are hometown America, and we want the opportunity
to make a good living. Those opportunities reside in the companies and
institutions right here in our communities. We appreciate Brenau setting a
great example and taking care of those that serve.”
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve was established in
1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service.
ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases
awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and
employers.
Recognizing supportive employers is part of ESGR’s mission.
These Department of Defense awards honor the sacrifices made by employers year
after year.
It is not the first recognition Brenau has received for its
support for military personnel. Last year, Tavilla nominated Kathye Light,
chair of the physical therapy department, for ESGR’s Patriot Award, which Light
received in December. And, the university is ranked one of the Best Colleges
for Veterans in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and was designated
as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media this year for the third
consecutive year.
ABOUT BRENAU UNIVERSITY:
Founded in 1878, Brenau University
is a private, not-for-profit, nationally prominent comprehensive institution of
higher education that enrolls students in graduate and undergraduate studies on
campuses and online. Gainesville, Georgia-based Brenau includes the residential
Women’s College, which represents the academic and philosophical liberal arts
underpinnings of the university. Brenau also provides coeducational
opportunities through the doctoral level, including on-ground programs in
Georgia locales Gainesville, Augusta, Norcross and Fairburn as well as in
Jacksonville, Florida. Brenau University offers doctorates in nursing,
occupational therapy and physical therapy, a terminal M.F.A. in interior
design, specialist in education, master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degrees
as well as professional certifications. The Women’s College boasts 14
nationally competitive intercollegiate Golden Tigers sports teams, national
honor societies and national sororities with dedicated residential facilities
on campus. The university provides outlets for artistic expression and
community service for all students. Brenau possesses an extensive and
distinctive permanent collection of art and presents year-round programming
that includes art exhibitions, lectures, debates and literary readings, and
theatrical and musical performances. For more information, please visit the
website at www.brenau.edu.
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