CHESTERTOWN, MD, May 22, 2014—Washington College is pleased to announce its partnership with Easter Seals Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to strengthen educational opportunities for veterans and military families. 

As part of the 20,000-strong Easter Seals Dixon Center network, Washington College will be able to build partnerships and connect with veterans and military families in local communities to promote affordable college choices.  This new partnership builds on the College’s long legacy of appreciation for those who have served the nation through the Armed Forces, starting with General Washington and extending to the present day. 

Washington College’s participation with Easter Seals Dixon Center will help strengthen existing Yellow Ribbon and Post-9/11 GI Bill programs, which extend vital educational opportunities to veterans and their families. These programs can provide an outstanding tuition-free liberal arts education to veterans and their eligible dependents, with 100 percent of the cost covered by a combination of benefits from the Federal Government and tuition grants from Washington College.

“I am very pleased that we will be able to give the life-changing benefits of a liberal arts education at Washington College to the men and women of the military and their families,” said the College’s president, Mitchell B. Reiss. “It’s one way we can begin to thank our veterans for their service on the nation’s behalf. Easter Seals Dixon Center’s outreach efforts match well with the College’s mission—inspiring young adults to discover lives of purpose and preparing them to make a difference in their communities and workplaces.” 

“I can personally attest that the GI Bill is a phenomenal opportunity for vets, myself included, to earn a degree at little to no cost,” said Col. David Sutherland, U.S. Army (ret.), chairman and co-founder, Easter Seals Dixon Center.  “I applaud Washington College for its commitment to becoming part of a veterans network, which is a critical factor in ensuring the successful transition of the student veteran back into the community.”  

Thanks to her father’s service in the Coast Guard, Emily Hoyle ’14 funded her education at WC through his benefits and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Emily, shown here at Commencement with dad Kelly and mom Amy, majored in philosophy and political science and is headed to George Washington University Law School on a scholarship.

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About Easter Seals Dixon Center

Easter Seals Dixon Center believes communities play a key role in the reintegration or veterans, military families and families of the fallen. It works to strengthen communities by building partnerships, sharing innovative approaches and connecting those who have served with community-based services. Find out more at www.eastersealsdixoncenter.org.

For nearly 100 years, Easter Seals has been committed to creating a world of inclusion, dignity, empowerment and independence. We personalize solutions for individuals with autism and intellectual and physical disabilities through innovative therapy, training, education, and support services. Find out more at www.easterseals.com.

About Washington College 

Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in colonial Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.