Edward, a seven-year veteran of the Coast Guard is currently pursuing a Master in Liberal Arts with a concentration in political science. Christie is working toward a undergraduate joint major in English and philosophy.

This opportunity was made possible by the Post 9-11 GI Bill which gives veterans who have served at least 30 days of active duty since Sept. 11, 2001 the option of applying their educational benefits at a private institution like St. Thomas with little to no out of pocket cost. The educational benefits can also be transferred for use by veterans’ spouses or dependents.

After 13 years in the National Guard and Coast Guard combined, and assignments in North Carolina, Connecticut, Alaska and Louisiana, Edward and Christie are grateful to stay in one place for the next few years. The Lacys, who have two daughters, ages seven and 11, relocated to Houston from Nacogdoches in a rush to get enrolled at UST. The family was able to move into a house on campus, get both parents enrolled in the University and the girls enrolled in local schools just in time.

“It is such a pleasure to have the Lacy family at UST,” said Shannon Wilson, director of Veteran Services. “This is the first time we have had a veteran student and his wife attend while using the same Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit.

“UST is a great fit for the Lacys, not only because we have small class size that allows for personal approach to teaching, but because we have housing on campus that can meet the needs of traditional students and students who have families,” Wilson said. “ The Lacys are able to live on campus, with their two kids, while they work to complete their educational goals.”

The Lacys said they received outstanding personal attention and service from University staff and faculty who have helped them find a new home at UST. Edward said Dr. Ravi Srinivas, Dean of Extended Programs, explained the MLA degree program and helped him enroll with very short notice. Wilson assisted them in transferring veterans’ benefits for Christie; Lee Holm, director of admissions, was familiar with Christie’s needs as an adult transfer student and helped them find University housing.

“I’ve been on several veteran chat sites, and read that other universities have been substantially less accommodating with their veterans, so we feel extremely fortunate.”
Edward grew up in the Houston area, but truly began to consider attending St. Thomas after hearing about his best friend’s positive experience at the University.

“After I learned how generous the Post 9-11 GI Bill is, I started looking at graduate programs around the state,” Edward said. “We visited the campus and really like the small school atmosphere. I chose the MLA program because it gives me the ability to shape my own coursework instead of following a prescribed degree plan, and enables me to explore new fields.”

Christie originally pursued a degree in dance and a minor in English, but earned her associate degree in medical office procedures over time between taking courses at Stephen F. Austin and Texas State University. After she completes her joint English and philosophy major at UST, she hopes to continue her education to pursue a master’s and eventually a doctorate in English. She is currently working part time in the UST Office of the Registrar.

“This is such an incredible chance for me to finish what I started, and for both of us to be able to go to school at the same time,” Christie said. “Before we came here, I had to stop and start my education according to our next move, and I was never sure when I would get my next chance to complete my bachelor’s degree.

“It’s an exciting time for the family,” Christie said. “We’re both enjoying our classes immensely. We get to live in a great area of town, we can walk nearly everywhere and our daughters get to go to great schools.”

In many cases, the GI Bill provides a living stipend which enables many veterans like Edward to attend school full time without having to work concurrently. The additional time at home is novel for Edward, who is accustomed to working up to 60 hours a week.

“I’m taking advantage of having more time at home with my daughters to further my relationship with them before they approach their teenage years. I only have so much more time before I’m not cool any more,” he said. “This has helped me better understand all those years Christie’s spent as a stay-at-home mom.”

Edward said he is adjusting to the less regimented schedule of civilian and academic life.
“I spent the last six years reducing all written communication into succinct bullet points, and now in graduate school, I am challenged to elaborate my thoughts into 20-page papers.”