As Veterans Day turns attention towards America’s veterans and armed forces service members, Seward County Community College/Area Technical School establishes a connection with veterans through military friendly courses offerings, a visit to Fort Riley and a planned ceremonial lunch to recognize veterans. Several veterans and armed forces service members are taking courses at Seward. “G.I. Jobs” a military magazine and Military Friendly Schools a website, recently recognized SCCC/ATS in the top 15 percent of military friendly schools. With programs that can be finished in about year, SCCC/ATS has many veterans who are enrolled in vocational and college courses. Corrosion tech., machine tool tech., and sustainable agriculture are some of the programs that interest veterans. “Community colleges in general are careers paths with quick programs that pay well,” said J.R. Doney, director of marketing at SCCC/ATS. On Nov. 13, the day after Veterans Day, Doney and representatives from the admissions department will be visiting Fort Riley in northeastern Kansas, to talk to service members about the programs that are available at Seward. “Having access to the GI Bill and other things like it, really attracts veterans,” said Doney. Currently SCCC/ATS has less than a dozen veterans and service members attending courses. Doney will talk to the service members at Fort Riley about the counseling and other services that are available at SCCC/ATS The recognition that SCCC/ATS received from Military Friendly Schools was based on how the college appeals to veterans. Programs, degrees, certificates, transfer credits, accreditation, course flexibility and financial benefits were all factors in the recognition. Although there are 14 other community colleges in Kansas who made the list, SCCC/ATS is in the top 15 percent of military friendly schools nationwide. Also on Nov. 13, a ceremony will take place on campus for veterans. The event is open to all veterans of the community and their spouses, according to Chris Hickman, HVAC instructor at SCCC/ATS. Hickman is aiding the preparations of the event; it will feature guest speakers, a performance by the choir and other presentations. For more information about the event, people can contact Hickman at 620-417-1679.