![\"Austin](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Austin-Peay-State-University-APSU.jpg\" "\\"Austin")
Clarksville, TN<\/strong> – Work will soon begin converting a former car dealership building into Austin Peay State University\u2019s new Military Family Resource Center, thanks to a generous contribution from alumna Wilma Newton (\u201973) in honor of her late parents.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Wilma-Newton-contributes-generous-gift-to-new-APSU-Military-Family-Resource-Center-2.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/a>A rendering of the APSU Military Family Resource Center with the proposed Newton name.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Newton, along with her late husband Raymond Vares, previously decided to contribute to the University because of their appreciation for education and their family connection to the military. Newton\u2019s late father, husband, brother and several uncles all served in the military.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents encouraged us to obtain a college degree and worked hard to afford it,\u201d she said. \u201cMy siblings and I were the first grandchildren to earn a college degree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pending approval by the APSU Board of Trustees, the proposed name for the center will be the William E. & Sadako S. Newton Military Family Resource Center. Newton\u2019s father, William, met her mother, Sadako, in Japan when he was stationed there as part of the military efforts to reconstruct the country following the end of World War II.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Austin Peay State University President Alisa White accepts Newton’s gift.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cThanks to the generosity of Ms. Newton, this incredible gift will allow our military-related students to receive specialized support from University professionals who have experience with specific needs and concerns of military-connected students in an environment where they can build community and rapport with students in similar circumstances,\u201d APSU President Alisa White said.<\/p>\n
[320left]\u201cAustin Peay State University has the largest number of military-related students in the state and we want our students to know we appreciate their service to our country and are here to help them succeed,\u201d stated White.<\/p>\n
The facility, located at 426 College Street, will provide seamless support to military-related students as they apply for admission, access financial aid, select their programs of study, register for their courses, progress toward graduation and secure employment after graduation.<\/p>\n
At APSU, about one in four students has a military connection, with more than 2,500 in attendance in each of the last three years. Assistance from staff with specialized knowledge and close attention to detail will help students stay on track with degree planning and maximizing their use of educational benefits.<\/p>\n