CLARKSVILLE, TN – For years, Austin Peay State University has been Tennessee’s leading provider of higher education to military-affiliated students, with about 25 percent of enrolled APSU students having a military connection.

This fall, the university will continue to embrace its support of the military through several new programs, celebrations and scholarships.

Here are some things to look forward to this fall:

ROTC 50th Anniversary

APSU’s ROTC program, which has received the prestigious MacArthur Award eight times, is celebrating its 50th anniversary during the 2021-22 academic year. Austin Peay will kick off this yearlong commemoration during the homecoming military alumni chapter dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.

Former ROTC faculty member Maj. Margaree King Richard (retired), an assistant women’s basketball coach for the U.S Military Academy at West Point, will speak at the event.

The Margaree King Richard Leader of Character Endowment

In honor of the ROTC program’s 50th anniversary, Lt. Col. John Montgomery (retired), former APSU professor of military science, and SFC Robert Roof (retired), former APSU military instructor, have started a scholarship in honor of Richard. The Margaree King Richard Leader of Character Endowment is available to current ROTC cadets with a 3.5 GPA. To support this endowment, visit this site.

Mrs. Joyce Luster Scholarship Endowment

The university’s Military Alumni Chapter recently established the Mrs. Joyce Luster Scholarship Endowment. Qualified applicants will include any active duty or honorably discharged Special Forces Support soldier, spouse or dependent of a Special Forces Support soldier.

Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students at APSU and meet all admission requirements. This is the third endowed scholarship created by the Military Alumni Chapter.

Overseas officer for Military Alumni Chapter

The APSU Military Alumni Chapter now has a chapter officer serving in Germany. James Kidd is responsible for outreach in Europe as the chapter works to expand its international reach, awareness and support.

Institute for National Security and Military Studies

In May, the Tennessee General Assembly agreed to fund the state’s first Institute for National Security and Military Studies at APSU. The new institute will oversee educational programs (both credit and noncredit), military outreach activities and interdisciplinary research on national security, intelligence and military life.

Maj. Gen. Lord named new military adviser in residence

On May 10, retired Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, former military executive director to the Reserve Forces Policy Board in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, joined Austin Peay’s senior leadership team as the institution’s second military adviser in residence. In this new role, Lord will advise the APSU leadership team on how the university can better serve and recruit military students.

Newton Military Family Resource Center

Earlier this year, APSU opened the Newton Military Family Resource Center at 426 College Street. In addition to housing Austin Peay’s Military Student Center, this facility provides seamless support to military-affiliated students, from applying for admission to securing employment after graduation.

The university will celebrate the official grand opening on Wednesday, Nov. 10, with a ribbon cutting. More details about this celebration will be announced this fall.

For more information on how Austin Peay serves the military community, visit https://www.apsu.edu/military.