BROOKINGS – Russ Chavez has been named South Dakota State University’s director for Veterans Affairs.

Chavez has held a number of military-affiliated leadership positions on campus including within U.S. Army ROTC and two posts within Veterans Affairs, including the interim leadership of the department since September 2016.

Doug Wermedal, associate vice president of the Division of Student Affairs, cited Chavez’s record of authentic advocacy for veteran students as an important asset to SDSU students and the campus community. For example, SDSU was ranked eighth among four-year schools by Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 rankings.

During Chavez’s time with Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Resource Center moved to Brown Hall after South Dakota State received a $10,000 grant from The Home Depot and Student Veterans of America to help facilitate the move.

The move allowed the Veterans Affairs Office and its resource center to be in one location. In addition, veterans will have 24/7 access to the center, which has a study area as well as a place to watch TV or meet with peers. The office has averaged 25-30 visits a day for the past two years.

Chavez, a former drill sergeant at the Field Artillery Training Center in Fort Sill, Okla., was assigned to South Dakota State in 1999 as an enlisted instructor for the U.S. Army ROTC detachment. After retiring with 21 years of active service, he was a contractor with ROTC for seven years.

“It’s a highlight being a veteran and now leading our Veterans Affairs,” Chavez said. “I never had aspirations of doing this when I was active, but doors kept opening in a very, very good way for me during my time here.

“I’d like to see us stay in the top 10 rankings by Military Times,” he continued, noting his goals. “I think this new facility and the annual renewable scholarship recently started by the (Gene and JoAnn) Goodales will help. I’m looking for more ways to get scholarships for our veterans here and hope to become even more involved in community activities.”