Enrollment Management Electronic Newsletter

Team River Runner at Shepherd University: Serving those who have served

The Office of the Registrar is in the application process to establish a chapter of Team River Runner at Shepherd University. Team River Runner (TRR) is a nationally-recognized Wounded Warrior project. Begun in 2004 at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, TRR offers instruction in adaptive kayaking, water safety, and water rescue to veterans in rehabilitation for the wounds of war, both physical and emotional.

Working with a team of interested and trained volunteers from academic departments, student service-leadership groups, Student Affairs, Auxiliary Services, and the community on and off campus, the TRR chapter at Shepherd will partner with the VA Hospital at Martinsburg. Therapists there will identify eligible and interested veterans, provide transportation and staff support for weekly training sessions at the Shepherd University Wellness Center and our many local waterways, and build the program into the veterans' therapeutic plans.

The national office of Team River Runner commits to up to three years of financial support, including boats and gear, instructional training, and other support; in return, the chapter commits to developing a base of volunteers to be trained, and community and financial support and fund-raising in order to become self-sustaining by the end of the first three years.

The program has expanded far beyond Walter Reed, extending across the country at VA facilities, military posts, community centers, and universities. It provides not only the physical recreation that supports the veterans' rehabilitation, but also an important social support network for veterans as they work toward health and reintegration into their continued military career or civilian life. Watch a brief video of this amazing work in action HERE.

The Office of the Registrar became the certifying veteran enrollment office at Shepherd in spring 2012. We are so proud of our student-veterans, and happy to work with so many partners to bring this project to fruition. Watch for further announcements in the spring for ways that you can help!

http://www.shepherd.edu/register/