News

As the GI Bill marks its 80th anniversary this year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Military and Veteran Services is celebrating with a series of events reflecting on how the landmark legislation has transformed veterans’ lives and reshaped higher education. The opening event is a celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 4 with a presentation from Kevin Wathen, EdD, director of Military and Veteran Services. Beginning at 2 p.m. in the Legacy Room of the Morris University Center, Wathen’s presentation will explore the history of the GI Bill and how VA funding transformed SIUE in recent decades.

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the GI Bill, opened doors for veterans returning from World War II, offering benefits that included education funding, health care services, employment assistance and housing loans. The goal was to ease the transition for millions of veterans back into civilian life and provide them with opportunities to succeed.

For veterans eager to continue their education, the GI Bill was a terrific opportunity. By the end of the war, college campuses across the nation saw waves of former servicemembers driven by a newfound passion for learning. According to Military and Veteran Services, enrollments were so strong that universities had to expand to accommodate the growing demand. Over time, the GI Bill did not just help individuals— it played a significant role in expanding the American middle class during the 1950s and 1960s.

Today, the GI Bill is still making a difference. At SIUE, 593 students are using some version of the GI Bill this fall.
Telisha Reinhardt, assistant director of Military and Veteran Services, saw this milestone as an important one for the University to recognize.

“For 80 years, the GI Bill has been providing opportunities to those who have defended and sacrificed for their country,” said Reinhardt. “I am so proud to witness how the GI Bill is transforming the lives of student veterans here at SIUE,” she added, noting that many veterans achieve academic success they once thought unattainable.

Wathen sees SIUE’s role in the GI Bill legacy as vital, supporting veterans as they build a future that once seemed out of reach.

“From its inception, the GI Bill has served as a symbol of hope and opportunity, making it possible for countless veterans to transition from military service to academic and professional success,” said Wathen.

The GI Bill’s impact is not just a part of history— it is a living, ongoing force at SIUE. The University’s commemoration will be a time to reflect on the past 80 years and look ahead to the future, honoring both the veterans who have used these benefits and the institutions that have supported them. Cake and refreshments will be served, with free parking available in Lot B.

PHOTO: Serviceman Arcilla, 2019