Portland State students meet with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis R. McDonough | Photo by Patric Simon
Denis R. McDonough, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, visited PSU this week, sitting down with student veterans and other veterans on campus to hear their concerns, discuss access to benefits and why it’s important for veterans to file claims under the PACT Act, a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
More than 20 students gathered in the Academic and Student Rec Center on PSU’s Urban Plaza to meet Secretary McDonough and ask questions about veterans affairs.
“As I go around the country, I see a lot of interesting stuff and I don’t have to scratch very hard to see a veteran,” McDonough said. “There is no more hope-inspiring group of people than student vets. I want you to know how much the country has relied on you and how much the future of the country depends on you.”
In addition, Secretary McDonough and PSU President Stephen Percy recognized the outstanding work of Alexandra Birmingham, Oregon’s only Veteran Success on Campus (VSOC) Counselor, who has worked since 2015 to support veteran students through Veterans Affairs. During her tenure PSU has had more than 8,000 Veteran students attending university. She also serves on the Veterans Resource Center advisory board.
“It gives me great pleasure to join with Secretary McDonough in recognition of the exceptional service Alexandra Birmingham has provided to Portland State University’s veterans community,” said President Percy. “From our founding, over 75 years ago, to educate and empower veterans returning from World War II, we have been committed to meeting the needs of individual students and society as a whole.”
Congresswoman Susan Bonamici also attended the roundtable and thanked the Secretary for his visit and expressed her support and advocacy for the PACT Act which passed in 2022 to support veterans exposed to toxic chemicals.
“It’s a big deal to have you here in Oregon,” Bonamici said. “My dad served in the Navy and we do a lot of work with veterans in my office. It means a lot to have you here today.”
At the close of the event, Jose Coll, PSU Dean of the School of Social Work, Interim Dean of College of Education, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and moderator for the morning gave Secretary McDonough the last word.
He kept it short: “My last word is thank you.”