As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, it is an opportunity to remember veterans like Kyle White (’13). He is one of many returning military veterans who have advanced their futures at UNC Charlotte following his service to the nation. Providing veterans educational opportunities is in the University's DNA, beginning with its post-World War II founding to serve vets under the GI Bill.
UNC Charlotte's founder, Bonnie Cone, would proudly call White one of her “Bonnie's Boys” for achieving his degree in finance from the Belk College of Business and beginning his career in Charlotte with the Royal Bank of Canada.
But White received a distinction that stands out from nearly all other men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama earlier this year. At that time, he became just the seventh living recipient of the nation's highest military honor from the war in Afghanistan.
Moving forward, White said he wants to be an advocate for the men and women in uniform who will continue to come home from the Middle East and elsewhere. His goal is to help them understand the opportunities the current GI Bill provides them and to urge them to pursue the best possible university educations. In White's case, that was what he found at UNC Charlotte. A Seattle-native turned Charlottean. An American hero who is also a member of the Niner Nation.
Meet White in this segment of Inside UNC Charlotte and learn more about the details behind the experience that ultimately led him to that White House ceremony.