<p><strong>Widener Again Named to Victory Media&rsquo;s Military Friendly&reg; Schools List</strong></p>
<p><strong>CHESTER, Pa.</strong> &ndash;For the seventh year, Widener University has earned a Military Friendly&reg; School designation from Victory Media, publisher of <em>G.I. Jobs&reg;</em>, <em>STEM Jobs</em><sup>SM</sup> and <em>Military Spouse</em>. First published in 2009, Military Friendly&reg; Schools is the most comprehensive, powerful resource for veterans today. Each year, the list of Military Friendly&reg; Schools is provided to service members and their families to help them select the best college, university or trade school that delivers the education and training they need to pursue a civilian career.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The men and women who have served in our military have qualities that we highly value at Widener, from a commitment to civic engagement and public service to leadership skills and global awareness,&rdquo; said Widener University President Julie E. Wollman. &ldquo;We are proud and honored to welcome these individuals to our university and offer them a supportive learning environment and opportunities to achieve success in their chosen careers.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Institutions earning the Military Friendly&reg; School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from Victory Media&rsquo;s proprietary survey. Of the more than 8,800 institutions initially evaluated, only 1,160 were awarded the designation.</p>
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<p>Ratings methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Victory Media with input from the Military Friendly&reg; Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution&rsquo;s survey scores with the assessment of the institution&rsquo;s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.</p>
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<p>Widener participates in the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill&reg; Yellow Ribbon Program and the Montgomery G.I. Bill&reg; for all qualified veterans. U.S. military veterans who want to begin or continue their college education at Widener can do so with assistance from a designated veterans outreach coordinator who convenes a committee of university personnel to discuss how to best support Widener&rsquo;s veteran and military students.</p>
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<p>Known as Pennsylvania Military College until 1972, Widener University has a rich military history. The university maintains a vibrant Army ROTC program and serves as the host institution for Army ROTC cadets from several Philadelphia-area colleges and universities. These partnerships help make Widener&rsquo;s ROTC program one of the largest in the region with 125 active cadets this academic year.</p>
<p>Widener University&rsquo;s two law schools also have a history of welcoming U.S. military veterans as students and using school resources to support U.S. veterans with free legal aid. Widener University Delaware Law School runs a Veterans Law Clinic to assist disabled individuals who have been denied veterans benefits. Widener University Commonwealth Law School has launched the Veterans Initiative and anticipates opening a Veterans Law Clinic in 2017.</p>
<p>Widener University will be showcased along with other 2017 Military Friendly&reg; Schools in the annual <em>Guide to Military Friendly&reg; Schools</em>, special education issues of <em>G.I. Jobs</em>&reg; and <em>Military Spouse</em> Magazine, and on <a href="https://www.militaryfriendly.com/">militaryfriendly.com</a>.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>To learn more about Widener&rsquo;s commitment to attracting and supporting military students, visit <a href="http://bit.ly/1sD4w41">http://bit.ly/1sD4w41</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>About Military Friendly&reg; Schools:</strong></p>
<p>The Military Friendly<sup>&reg;</sup> Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly<strong><sup>&reg;</sup></strong> Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weightings were developed by Victory Media with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. Data calculations and tabulations were independently evaluated for completeness and accuracy by EY. The survey is administered for free and is open to all post-secondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at: <a href="https://militaryfriendly.com">https://militaryfriendly.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>About Widener University</strong><br /> <em>Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development and experiential</em><em> learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener comprises eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master&rsquo;s and doctoral degrees. The university&rsquo;s campuses are in Chester and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del. Visit the university website, </em><a href="http://www.widener.edu">www.widener.edu</a><em>. &nbsp;</em></p>
<p><strong>About Victory Media:</strong></p>
<p>Founded in 2001, Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs<sup>&reg;</sup>, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur<sup>&reg;</sup>, STEM Jobs<sup>SM</sup> and Military Friendly<sup>&reg;</sup> brands.&nbsp; Learn more about Victory Media at<a href="http://www.victorymedia.com"> www.victorymedia.com</a>.</p>
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<p>Contact: Mary Allen, public relations officer<br /> Office: 302.477.2175, Cell: 302-562-9239&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> <a href="mailto:mallen@widener.edu">mallen@widener.edu</a></p>