MTSU Daniels Veterans Center, Dollar General grow partnership

Representatives from the MTSU Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center recently presented Dollar General executives with a framed certificate, thanking and recognizing the major retailer for their strong partnership.

Keith M. Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, made the presentation to Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos, executive vice president and chief people officer Bob Ravener and members of the company’s military employee resource group (SERVE) at the company’s corporate headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

The presentation was followed by a tour through Dollar General’s “Hall of Values” that showcases the company’s nearly 80-year history and evolution. Dollar General then hosted the MTSU contingent for lunch, where future partnerships, collaboration and leader development opportunities between the organizations were discussed.

Huber, who retired as an U.S. Army lieutenant general after a nearly 40-year career, was first introduced to Dollar General’s military hiring initiatives through the company’s Paychecks for Patriots program. Aimed at supporting veterans’ transitions to civilian life, the Paychecks for Patriots program helped find meaningful employment opportunities for veterans and their families.

In 2017, Huber helped form a formal partnership between MTSU and Dollar General when he spoke at Dollar General’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville.

“I spoke at the cemetery about the meaning of Memorial Day and of the sacrifice of our military and their precious families,” Huber recalled. “It was a well-attended event and participants included Dollar General leadership. Their leaders have also attended our Stole ceremonies and listened to my words.”

The Daniels Center is the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any Tennessee college campus. It assists the 900-plus student veteran population (including family) with a one-stop shop to meet a variety of academic needs. The center’s Transition Home Center helps match student veterans and other students with prospective employers.

As of March 2018, Dollar General Corporation operated more than 14,600 stores in 44 states.

MTSU has more than 240 combined undergraduate and graduate programs.