AIC Honors Veterans through Campus Ceremony and National Leadership

Gary Lefort, retired professor of international business, retired Army officer, and member of the College Veterans Alumni Committee, places a card for each branch of service during the Missing Man observance at the 2024 AIC Veterans Day ceremony.

SPRINGFIELD, MA—As Veterans Day approaches, American International College (AIC) continues its tradition of recognizing and supporting military-connected students through campus celebrations and national initiatives.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the College will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. in the Campus Center Auditorium, located on the upper level of the Schwartz Campus Center. This tradition, organized by AIC’s Veterans Alumni Committee, unites students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members in honoring the courage, service, and sacrifice of all who have worn the uniform.

The program will feature a keynote address by Attorney Don Andrejczyk, USAF/ANG Technical Sergeant (Retired); recognition of Veteran Alumnus of the Year, Edward W. “Ted” Shore, Jr. ’55; and the Admiral Hines Pinning Ceremony for graduating student veterans. Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged at www.aic.edu/veteransday.

Beyond campus, the College has a role nationally in helping military learners succeed. Associate Professor of Graduate Psychology Terry Lynn, PhD, CAGS, LMHC, will represent AIC in a national webinar hosted by the American Council on Education (ACE) on November 5, 2025. The session, Faculty Insights on Military CPL, is part of ACE’s Advancing Military Learner Success Series, which highlights faculty perspectives and best practices for implementing Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for veterans.

“I have been consulting with ACE on prior learning for almost 20 years and was asked to lead this conversation,” said Lynn. “I am pleased to represent AIC in this national dialogue.”

CPL recognizes the knowledge and skills military learners bring to higher education, supporting admissions decisions, prerequisite fulfillment, course waivers, and degree progression. The webinar will explore how faculty balance academic rigor with access, how ACE’s evaluation process aligns with institutional assessment, and strategies for implementing CPL effectively while addressing common misconceptions.

“Our Veterans receive extensive training and military education across a wide range of subjects that are found at traditional colleges and universities across the United States,” Lynn added. “When an academic institution admits a veteran and accepts the American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendation, it helps the student get closer to the degree they are seeking.”

AIC further supports veterans by awarding transfer credits for service in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. Veterans may request a no-cost evaluation of prior college coursework, military training, advanced placement programs, portfolios, and work-related examinations—giving them a meaningful head start toward earning a degree.

The College has been recognized as a 2025–2026 Military Friendly® Silver School by G.I. Jobs magazine, placing AIC among the top 20 percent of colleges nationwide supporting veterans and military-connected students.

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Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral-granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Education. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.

1000 State Street | Springfield, Massachusetts 01109

413.737.7000 | 800.242.3142 | www.aic.edu