OCTOBER 4, 2024 - The VCU Student Veterans of America chapter was recently invited to a VCU Military Veterans Alumni Council social event at Drive Shack in Goochland, Virginia. Four VCU SVA members were able to attend this event. It was a great opportunity to meet with alumni, eat some (a lot of) free food and cheap golf! VCU student and SVA NewsWire editor Adan Rivera recaps the event:
Everybody loves a good recap, so I hope I will do it some justice. I really toiled over how I could start this recap. What was the first thing that came to mind after my night at DriveShack with Student Veterans of America (SVA) and the wonderful hosts, The VCU Military Veterans Alumni Council (MVAC)? Here it is,
It baffles me that John Daly used to rip heaters and play golf.
Anyways setting aside my obvious bewilderment from that fact, allow me to set the scene. I passed a Chick Fil A and an Audi dealership with a weary mind curious what lay ahead. Then I saw it, not a drive shack, but a lone rooster crossing the street. I don’t believe in premonitions but it was a weird vibe that I quickly shook off as I entered the drive shack parking lot. Once I made my way inside, the party had already commenced with people sending golf balls into orbit with ease. The sound of golf clubs thumping golf balls was like a bell ringing at noon. This was when the SVA President himself, Bob Pryor introduced me to Steffani Bonner and Saif Khan, the Military Veterans Alumni Council representative.
The time spent chatting with our MVA representatives was enthralling because of the networking that could be done for any and all VCU Student Veteran of America members. It felt as though they truly wanted to understand what changes needed to be made for the benefit of the students/alumni veterans. Steffani Bonner was truly the difference maker leading all conversations with questions posed to use as jump off points for future changes made in our regard. Even in a short conversation with Saif Khan, I was given great wisdom and in an interesting way, he created a curiosity in me to move up in this aspect of SVA. Maybe he is just a wonderful storyteller but I think SVA’s strong point is the wisdom each of us carry from our experiences either as veterans or dependents.
Now onto the fun part, I will be transparent, I did not feel confident in my golfing abilities but by the end of it I felt like John Daly if he was tanned and handsome. The encouragement was fantastic from everyone! Bob Pryor encouraged me and busted my chops and frankly, I think that’s more genuine than constant encouragement. If anyone ever feels that they won’t find a place at SVA, understand that we are all joined in a very niche way and to that you will always find someone to lean on or someone to bust your chops a bit to keep you humble. Now let's address some housekeeping, the idea of untouched opportunities really put a bee in my bonnet so I think it is only right that I plug the next event, (next event here). This will be a fun opportunity to create comradery in our chapter and discuss what we want for our futures in a casual environment
The VCU Military Veterans Alumni Council (MVAC) offers an opportunity for VCU alumni to reconnect with one another and to the current student body through the unique bond of military service. VCU’s Military Veterans Alumni Council seeks to enrich the university experience through veteran centric programming, the promotion of professional development through veteran to veteran mentorship and internships for veteran students with veteran-owned businesses. Over the next year, SVA will work to increase collaboration and partnership with MVAC to offer programming and events aimed at professional development and networking opportunities for VCU’s veteran, spouse, and dependent students. Stay tuned to learn more!
