Philanthropic support drives the Veterans Resource Center’s mission to equip student veterans at Auburn

As his first year on the Plains was coming to an end last spring, Luis Ramirez accidentally nudged his laptop off a table during a tutoring session, shattering the computer beyond repair. 

Ramirez immediately worried how he would afford to replace it. A 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, his family of five relies on a single income as he pursues a degree in civil engineering.

Thankfully, he qualified for the Rucksacks to Backpacks initiative in the Veterans Resource Center (VRC), a program that outfits student veterans with needed technology to help them succeed academically. 

Generosity from the Auburn Family has propelled the Rucksacks to Backpacks program, most notably through Tiger Giving Day, Auburn’s university-wide day of philanthropy. This year, alumni and friends gave more than $24,000 in 24 hours — exceeding the VRC team’s goal.  

“I love seeing the ways in which our Auburn Family supports and lifts up our student veterans, and Tiger Giving Day is a shining example of that,” said Curtis Pippin, program manager in the VRC and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He says the technology could be anything from hearing aids or a laptop to access to specific software or digital libraries — whatever is needed to promote academic success and offset the many expenses of higher education. 

Pippin acknowledged that a common misconception is that veteran benefits pay for all aspects of pursuing a college degree, which he said is not the case.  Coupled with the fact that most student veterans are older and more than half of those at Auburn — like Luis — have spouses, children or both, student veterans have different financial considerations than traditional undergraduate students. 

“This initiative is one way the VRC helps alleviate some stress for these students to keep them working toward their academic goals,” Pippin said.