Northwestern State University has been named a Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“Northwestern State has a long history of working with active duty personnel and veterans to help them obtain a college education,” said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. “The faculty and staff at Northwestern State value their service to our country and work closely with each individual as they work toward a degree.”

Northwestern State has a campus at Leesville/Fort Polk and also offers classes at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. The university has 31 degree programs available online.

“The people at Northwestern have always been available to answer questions and assist me,” said Tommy Peek, a senior, general studies major, who is stationed at Fort Polk. “I had times when I was taking summer courses that it was difficult because of my work schedule, but the faculty understood and worked with me.”

Peek plans to retire from the military later this year after a 14-year career that includes deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Okinawa.

“My brother was at Northwestern and my father encouraged me to give it a try and I’m glad it worked out that way,” said Peek.

Peek said faculty and staff Dr. William Housel, Martha Koury, Bob Triplett and Juanita Self made special efforts to help him.

After graduating in May, Peek plans to go through alternate certification and become a history teacher.

“I always had a keen interest in history. Being in the military and being part of history added to that interest,” said Peek. “I began to understand the various doctrines that were developed and how they impacted history. I get animated when I talk about history and I hope that can lead to students developing an interest in history.”

This is the third time Northwestern State has been named a Military Friendly School.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows Northwestern State’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs and vice president at Victory Media.   “As interest in education grows we’re thrilled to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.”

The Military Friendly Schools website at militaryfriendlyschools.com, feature the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences.  The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.

The 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide. The survey tabulation process, methodology and weightings that comprise the 2013 list were independently verified by Ernst and Young LLP.   Each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.

A full story and detailed list of 2013 Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual G.I. Jobs Guide to Military Friendly Schools, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.