Mattson honored with Patriot Award at Radford University

Tracey Mattson was honored on July 29 with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award for her exemplary support of Radford University's student veterans and reservists.

Mattson '92, M.S. '04, is the director of two campus divisions, the Military Resource Center (MRC) and the Learning Assistance and Resource Center. In her role at the MRC, she provides unwavering administrative and academic support to all of Radford University's military students (veterans, active duty, reservists and dependents).

Radford alumnus Capt. Charles Cressell '02 presented Mattson with her award on behalf of the ESGR, the United States Army Reserve and the 320th Combat Support Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Although the award honors Mattson as an individual, she pointed out that veteran support was a team effort.

"I hope that this is seen as an honor for the whole center," Mattson said. "I hope that more student veterans, reservists, alumni and dependents will become aware that there is a place for them at Radford University."

Cressell was impressed by the strides that Mattson and Radford University have made in supporting military students.

"She's done an excellent job with this program together," Cressell said. "I'm very proud to know my alma mater is taking care of veterans and reservists."

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Tracey Mattson (center), Director of the Military Resource Office, with members of the Military Resource Office: (left to right) Kyle Micou, Scott McDaniel, Matt Rabe, Sgt. Christopher Carbone and Helen Currant.

The MRC helps to ensure that military students understand and have access to all the campus resources available to them, and provides them with a space all their own in which they can meet and study.

Mattson and a staff of MRC Transition Coaches – veterans themselves – help students navigate administrative and academic challenges as they make the often-complex move to a campus environment. Those very same student veterans nominated Mattson for the Patriot Award for the tireless hours she put into building the center.

"We wanted to recognize Tracey because she is the one who really set up this Military Resource Center," said Christopher Carbone, a junior political science student and reservist Platoon Sergeant and Emergency Room Ward Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge with the 320th Combat Support Hospital. "All of this started in one room and she built it into a full organization. Radford would be an entirely different place for us without her. She gave us a community."

ESGR is a Department of Defense (DoD) office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Components through outreach, recognition and educational opportunities. When an individual embodies these values, a member of the National Guard may nominate them for a Patriot Award.

Radford University was named a "Best for Vets" school by Military Times earlier this year and included in the 2014 Guide to Military Friendly Schools.

For more information about the mission of the MRC and how it can assist Radford University's military students, visit the center's website or call 540-831-5002.

Aug 5, 2015