Denton Record-Chronicle presents Texas Woman's: Bold Future
Michael Modecki/TWU
As leader of the TWU Leadership Institute composed of sophomores, juniors and seniors, retired Maj. Gen. Mary Saunders, left, identifies guest speakers who address subjects including leadership development, health and wellness, and economic security.
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Veterans Bringing together faculty and staff who share an interest in helping with veterans’ issues, the Veterans Advisory Council meets periodically as an advisory group. The council promotes discussion on policy issues and solves problems that arise. Key areas include financial aid and career connections.
A two-star general in command
Some veteran students are natural leaders, and TWU cultivates those traits through its Leadership Institute, led by Executive Director Mary Saunders. Retired from the U.S. Air Force as a twostar general, Saunders is a native Texan and TWU alumna with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She was the first female general officer to serve as the director of transportation in the Air Force, where she managed a $4 billion dollar budget and guided 32,000 active duty and civilian person personnel and was responsible for a fleet of 115,000 vehicles. As leader of the TWU Leadership Institute composed of sophomores, juniors and seniors, Saunders identifies guest speakers who address subjects including leadership development, health and wellness, and economic security.
ROTC with UNT
TWU students participate in the University of North Texas Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs to pre-
pare for a career as an officer. Active-duty and reserve Air Force and Army personnel provide all classroom instruction and program administration. Students register for courses through TWU, and classes meet at the University of North Texas campus. Students who complete either program with at least a bachelor’s degree are awarded commissions as U.S. military officers. TWU 2017 nutrition graduate Victoria Parades served as commander of the UNT ROTC and received her U.S. Army commissioning as an active duty engineer officer during TWU’s spring commencement ceremonies.
Sports for wounded warriors
Some student veterans are considered wounded warriors, dealing daily with injuries they suffered in service to the country. Those students, as well as their families and some non-students who are veterans, find therapeutic opportunities in adapted sports through a TWU project called Injured Veterans Engaging in Sport Together or Project INVEST. The success of playing Paralympic sports and the resulting camaraderie helps lift veterans out of a victim mentality. Project INVEST uses sports as a vehicle for wounded veterans to reintegrate into community and social settings, said Ron Davis, a professor of kinesiology whose focus is adapted physical activity and education. Davis directs Project INVEST. Nearly 60 wounded, ill or injured veterans participate in TWU’s wheelchair basketball competition, Davis said, and 10 to 12
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