Office of Military & Veteran Services

Veteran / Military students at Involvement Fair

The mission of the Bellarmine University Office of Military & Veteran Services is to support all military-affiliated students, alumni, faculty, and staff on Bellarmine's Campus. We bring visibility and solutions to the unique needs of military-affiliated individuals on campus through advising, programming, policy development, advocacy, and specialized services.

Bellarmine earns national recognition for military student support

Colleges of Distinction logoColleges of Distinction, a national higher education resource for students, has recognized Bellarmine University for its support of military students.

The organization praised Bellarmine for its comprehensive education benefits, a committed military and veterans affairs team, flexible options, trained faculty and dedicated campus activities and community support.

Bellarmine is the only private university in Kentucky to receive the distinction.

Join the Valor Learning Community! Exclusively for Military & Veteran Students

The Valor Learning Community (VLC) is for first-year and transfer Active Duty, National Guard, Select Reserves, and veteran students. To meet the needs of our military-affiliated students, we have created unique courses and programs designed to encourage overall academic success and camaraderie building. The VLC will enhance the academic careers of our military-affiliated students by exemplifying the strengths they bring to our campus. Please contact Lindsay Gargotto at lgargotto@bellarmine.edu or 502.272.8547 to learn more.

Why use your benefits at Bellarmine?

  • Dedicated Office of Military & Veteran Services for support and services
  • Participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program with no cap*
  • A discounted $250 per hour tuition rate for active duty, reserve, and guard service members**
  • Average student to teacher ratio of 11:1
  • Bellarmine is ranked #11 among best colleges for veterans in Southern Regional Universities according to U.S. News & World Report
  • Designated programming for military and veteran students
  • 55% growth in Bellarmine’s military and veteran student population since Fall 2018

*includes all programs except Doctorate of Physical Therapy
**Includes all programs except Doctor of Physical Therapy, Accelerated Nursing & Exec. MBA

In accordance to Executive Order 16307, Bellarmine University bans against providing commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing service member enrollments, and Bellarmine University bans against high pressure recruitment tactics on securing service members.

Our Office & Services

Staff
Director: Lindsay Gargotto, MSW, MFA • lgargotto@bellarmine.edu
Military & Veteran Student Success Program Coordinator: Elle Rich, MA • erich@bellarmine.edu
Administrative Assistant: Thomas Palmer • tpalmer2@bellarmine.edu
Phone: 502.272.7027
Location: Second floor of the W.L. Lyons Brown Library (BL209)

Resources in the Office

  • Designated Military and Veteran student lounge with private study area, open during library hours
  • Boots to Books Program: borrow used books from our department donated by other military students
  • Programs and Events throughout the year created specifically for Bellarmine’s Military and Veteran students

Book a Meeting or Study Space
If you would like to book a meeting with a staff member from the Office of Military and Veteran Services or reserve the the private study room, please visit https://tinyurl.com/omvsbookings.

ROTC

Bellarmine offers Army & Air Force ROTC programs through Metroversity. ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It prepares you with the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, ROTC can pay for your college tuition, and provide other monetary benefits.

Army ROTC

Campus Office Hours – Office of Military & Veteran Services

  • Thursday: 1 - 3 p.m.

Contacts
Scott Bryant
P: 502.852.3514
C: 502.851.7382
E: rotc@bellarmine.edu or walter.bryant@louisville.edu

Major Nate Linse
C: 704.975.5382 
E: nathan.linse@louisville.edu

SFC Schelee Burkett 
P: 502-330-4019
E: schelee.k.burkett.mil@mail.mil

For more information visit: https://louisville.edu/armyrotc

Air Force ROTC

Campus Office Hours – Office of Military & Veteran Services

  • By Appointment Only

Contact
Captain Brent Lasher
P: 502.852.6576
E: b0lash01@louisville.edu

Captain Colin Backert
E: colin.backert@louisville.edu

For more information visit: http://louisville.edu/afrotc

Get Involved

  • Drop by to find out what’s going on at Bellarmine and how to get involved.
  • Check out the BU Student Veterans Association on Facebook, or drop in to one of their weekly meetings. Contact the Office of Military & Veteran Services at 502.272.7027 for the location of the meeting.
  • Visit our Engage site