- December 14, 2025
When Chris Walsh finished his time serving in the Marine Corps he decided to enroll in a college where he began looking for an organization to join.
After starting at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, he found the Student Veterans Organization but ended up joining a fraternity. It was during his time with the fraternity that he decided he wanted to find a way to combine fraternity with military. Walsh then became involved in the SVO where he said there were many great ideas but ideas that hadn't yet been pursued.
Walsh, now the organization's public relations officer, said the SVO is now working to include outreach work that goes beyond veterans. Recently, the officers decided to open the group to individuals who do not have military service.
"We decided that we wanted to mix with other organizations," Walsh said. "Everything fell into line."
For SVO President Chris Crawford, who joined the group in 2017, the organization is also a way for veterans, like himself, to find answers to questions once out of the military. But the community outreach aspect is still a major part that Crawford and other members want to continue to focus on. One way they have been wanting to help is by working with the ROTC and acting as mentors to younger students.
"I think on both sides of the coin people have things to offer to each other," Crawford said. "It's really important to reach out."
Nicholas McGuire, the group's treasurer, said that he wants the group to also be a way to connect with students from across campus and break any misconceptions there might be about the veterans group not being inclusive.
McGuire said that while the group helps veterans transition into college life, it's also about having those members get involved within the community. One recent way the group has been doing this is by partnering up with a veterans art coalition that needed extra help.
McGuire had talked to a person who was involved with the coalition about what they needed help with, creating a website being one, and he and other members came together to assist however they could.
"A lot of the organization is giving back to members and vets," McGuire said. "We try to get out into the community ... it's very important to us."
Crawford said one of their members has also started a non-profit that he hopes the group can also contribute to as well. And for members like McGuire, being a part of these outreach projects and working with other people in the community has made college life more welcoming.
"You're not going into this life change on your own," McGuire said. "I've made some great friends I otherwise wouldn't have."
