For Immediate Release
November 14, 2025

Suffolk County Community College Honors Veterans and Recognized as Early Adopter of New SUNY Military Tuition Rate

Suffolk County Community College honored the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans during its annual Veterans Day ceremonies held this week at the Michael J. Grant and Ammerman campuses. For hi-res images visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/RU6VeWt3gPcVv4gN6

Suffolk County Community College honored the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans during its annual Veterans Day ceremonies held this week at the Michael J. Grant and Ammerman campuses. The college also marked the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and was recognized as one of the first SUNY campuses to adopt the newly announced SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program, launched by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. on Veterans Day.

The new tuition program will make SUNY’s high-quality education more affordable for active-duty service members, National Guard members, and Reservists, beginning at select campuses—including Suffolk County Community College—in Spring 2026.

Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward T. Bonahue said, “Suffolk County Community College is proud to be one of the first SUNY campuses to offer the new Military Tuition Rate. Our college has a long history of supporting service members and veterans, and we currently enroll more veterans than any other SUNY institution. This new military tuition award builds on our commitment, making it even easier for active-duty military, National Guard members, and Reservists to achieve their educational goals. We’re honored to help lead the way in expanding access to a SUNY education for those who serve our country.”

Ceremonies on both campuses featured presentations of colors, musical tributes, and remarks from college leadership, student veterans, and community members.

The keynote address at both ceremonies was delivered by Joan A. Furey, RN, MA, U.S. Army Nurse Corps veteran and founding Director of the VA Center for Women Veterans. Ms. Furey, a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, served as a Post-Op/ICU nurse in the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku. Following her military service, she became a trailblazer in veteran advocacy, co-founding the first inpatient PTSD treatment program for women veterans at the VA’s National Center for PTSD in Palo Alto and later serving as the founding Director of the VA Center for Women Veterans.

In recognition of all who have served, flags and yellow ribbons were displayed across all three campuses to honor veterans and active-duty service members. Each campus also featured a POW/MIA table in remembrance of those missing in action or held as prisoners of war, and the Eastern Campus hosted a Wall of Honor display showcasing photos and names of veterans submitted by students, faculty, and staff.

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school to college and into careers.