UAF marks Veterans Day with Student Veterans of America speech

Story and photos by Amber McCain 

Sean Wise, president of the Student Veterans of America chapter at UAF, delivered his speech at 11:11 a.m. on November 11, 2025 in Rasmussen library at UAF.

“Today is your day,” Sean Wise told a packed room of veterans and students at UAF’s Rasmuson Library Tuesday as veterans, students, and community members gathered for a Veterans Day celebration.

Wise, president of the Student Veterans of America chapter at UAF, delivered his speech at 11:11 a.m., honoring those who served while bringing attention to the support SVA provides on campus.

“Today is about celebrating our shared experiences and our community as veterans,” Wise said. “Enjoy it, this is your day.”

As a wildlife conservation biology student at UAF and U.S. military veteran himself, Wise thanked attendees for showing their support.

“It means a lot, not only to me, but to other veterans on campus, that you care about us,” he said. “A big thing that we face when we get out is that we don’t always think people know or care about what we did.”

Wise included that Veterans Day is for all service members.

“Whether you were Army, Marine, Seaman, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard. What you did matters. You matter.”

He went on to explain that the holiday began as Armistice Day in 1919 to mark the end of World War I and became a national holiday in 1938 to honor those who served.

Following the speech, Wise said in an interview with The Sun Star that joining the SVA in 2023 helped him rediscover purpose after leaving the military, unsure of what to do.

“I chose college on a whim. I’m still here because of what they offer and how much they care about us,” he said.

Wise has represented Alaska veterans in both the state legislature and on Capitol Hill. He said his work focuses on advocacy and raising awareness.

“What I do is be a voice for people who don’t have a voice,” he said. “I talk to people, the mayor, the dean, the vice chancellor, even Congress. It’s slow, but it’s making a difference.”

Attendees enjoy light bites while gathering to converse with campus departments at the Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Rasmussen library. 

Wise credited the turnout to the commitment of campus departments.

“Everybody helped, DMVS [Department of Military and Veterans Services], advisors, financial aid, food services, every section came together,” he said. “They could’ve easily said no, but they stepped up to help.”

Danny Casner, supervising vice president of the SVA, said the celebration provided “both service and community for our campus.”

Sean Hinkle, a UAF graduate student and Air Force veteran who also works with the Department of Military and Veteran Services, said planning the event required careful coordination.

“The big thing was getting on the same page with everyone within the different organizations,” Hinkle said. “It sounds simple, but that was the hardest part, keeping communication open and staying true to the date.”

Hinkle encouraged all students, veterans and non-veterans, to take advantage of the department’s resources.

“We ideally help veterans, but we welcome anyone who comes into our office,” he said.

According to Wise, about 23% of UAF’s student body is military-affiliated, the second-largest student demographic after Alaska Native students. He said events like this one not only honor service but also raise visibility for veteran students across Alaska.

“If one person sees this and tells somebody else, that’s how change starts,” Wise said.

Wise added that the Student Veterans of America began about 15 years ago as a small group of Gulf War veterans and today it is active across more than 1,500 campuses in all 50 states and in four countries, providing academic, financial, and social support for veterans transitioning from the military into civilian life.