Description

Held on or before Veterans Day each November, it is free and open to the entire community. It is our “salute” to veterans and their families, our way of saying thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice.

Dr. Barry Culhane, RIT Retiree and Vietnam-era veteran has said, “The breakfast is a way to acknowledge the service of all veterans affiliated with RIT and special guests from the Greater Rochester community who work to serve veterans and their families every day.”

This year's breakfast will feature keynote speaker: Laura Heltz, Executive Director, Veterans Outreach Center

Laura Heltz is an Army veteran who spent eight years on active duty, during which time she was stationed in Korea, Fort Benning, Fort Rucker and Germany. While in Germany, she was deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Stabilization Force.  Just before leaving the service, Laura earned her Master of Science in Business Administration from Baker College. 

Since the military, Laura has worked with veterans in a number of capacities, including transition assistance counseling, higher education, helping veterans at risk for or experiencing homelessness, and then directing the Monroe County Veterans Service Agency from 2012- 2017.  After serving on the Board of Directors at the Veterans Outreach Center for three years, Laura became the Executive Director of the VOC in September 2017.

In 2015, Laura was inducted into the NYS Veterans Hall of Fame.  In 2019, she was named a “Woman of Excellence” by the Rochester Business Journal during their annual awards gala. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for the ten years, and she serves on the Jordan Health Foundation Board.  She was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Board of Visitors at the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia.  Finally, Laura has co-authored two books – The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the ASVAB and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the ASVAB.*

Register online here: https://www.rit.edu/gcr/veterans-day-breakfast