Quincy University earns Military Friendly School designation

QUINCY — Quincy University recently earned the 2023-2024 Military Friendly School Silver Designation, exhibiting leading practices in recruiting and supporting post-military students.

Military Friendly is the military rating division of VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned business. Military Friendly is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful opportunity for the military community.

In a press release, Tom Oliver, vice president of enrollment, said, “The Quincy University community continues to be recognized as an institution friendly to veterans and their families, which is a source of pride to the faculty, staff and students who call QU home.”

To earn the Military Friendly School designation, schools are rated based on six different categories:

• academic policies and compliance
• admissions and orientation
• culture and commitment
• financial aid and assistance
• graduation and career
• military student support and retention.

QU met and exceeded all of these categories.

“The university’s Success by Design education model is a great match for veterans who learn the value of planning to meet goals as part of their military service. Being a welcoming place for veterans is an important part of the QU community’s commitment to living out its Franciscan values of hospitality and the creation of a caring community where each person is valued for his or her unique gifts, talents and experiences, especially those who have given service to our country. It continues to be an honor to welcome these special people to our campus every year,” Oliver said.

Quincy University freshman Colby Daly enlisted in the National Guard in November 2003. He served at Fort Sill, Okla., for basic training. Daly served as Private First Class in the 1844th Transportation Company with the Illinois National Guard from 2003-2007.

Daly credits the QU culture for helping him acclimate to college life. He was concerned he would struggle transitioning back into being a student. Daly’s regular meetings with his QU success coach is making a significant impact on his college experience.

“These meetings help me keep tabs on my performance and accountability at school,” Daly said.

Daly also enjoys interacting with faculty.

“They are an incredible source of information,” Daly said. “I’m greatly enjoying having regular discourse with educated and intellectual individuals.”

Daly is pursuing a degree in nursing and psychology and plans to specialize in mental health issues and substance addiction.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly School Designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2023-24 survey, and 530 earned awards level designations in gold, silver or bronze.