On Tuesday, Nov. 12th, Framingham State University dedicated its student Veterans Services Center in honor of alumnus Michael Haskell ’76, a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps who died in combat in 1983.

“We could not be more proud to dedicate our Veterans Service Center in honor of Captain Michael Haskell,” said FSU President F. Javier Cevallos. “He served the country with honor and distinction. Captain Haskell was a top student, an outstanding athlete, a dedicated husband and father, and a hero. His memory will now be preserved at Framingham State.”

Capt. Michael Haskell was originally from Beverly, MA and entered the US Marine Corps in 1968. He served in Vietnam and later became a drill instructor. When he separated from service in 1973, he returned home to attend Framingham State, where he played varsity hockey. During the summers, he attended military leadership school. Capt. Haskell graduated Summa Cum Laude from Framingham State in 1976. He later was commissioned as an officer in Marine Corps and went on to complete a Master’s Degree from Georgetown University. On October 23, 1983, Capt. Haskell was a casualty of the Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon.

Members of Haskell’s family were on hand for the ceremony, including his daughter Michelle Miller, brother Jeff Haskell, and sister-in-law Mary Lorente.

Framingham State University first opened a Veterans Services Center in October 2017, to serve its growing student veteran population, which currently stands at 237. The idea of naming it in honor of Captain Haskell was first proposed by FSU alumnus Warren Griffen ‘76, a fellow veteran who attended the University with Haskell. But because the center was initially opened in a temporary location, the decision was made to wait until a permanent location was found.

Since that time, the center has moved to its new home in Dwight Hall, Room 113. The Veteran Services Center provides a communal space for military veterans, service members, and their family members to study, socialize, relax, and watch television. The Veteran Center provides information about State and Federal benefits available to veterans. Ten VA work study students assist with answering phones, assisting with questions for potential students, connecting with new students at Orientation, and mentoring current students to help them navigate the challenges of being a student veteran.

The Veteran Center is also where the School Certifying Official (SCO) can be found. The SCO submits enrollment to the VA in order to process student’s GI Bill benefits to pay for college and a living stipend. The SCO is also a liaison for student veterans to assist with school challenges and connecting with outside veteran organizations.