There is power in veterans telling the stories of their lives. Research shows that the act of sharing military experiences can help veterans improve mental health, transition into civilian life and honor the memory of fallen friends.
To aid in the preservation of these stories, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $344,000 to Katherine Selber, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Social Work at Texas State University, for her project, “Texas Veterans Legacy for Tomorrow Project (TexVet Legacy).” Selber’s initiative will strengthen the biographical information found in the Veterans Legacy Memorial, an online memorial that honors nearly 10 million veterans interred in VA National Cemeteries, through storytelling, social work methodologies and educational pedagogy.
Selber will be assisted on the project by co-principal investigator Kelly Clary, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, along with Khoi Nguyen, Ph.D., emerging technology supervisor with University Libraries, Andrew Rechnitz, Ph.D., director of technology engagement for University Libraries, and Kristin Van Diest, digital publishing librarian for University Libraries, experts in veteran outreach, social work, digital storytelling and education.
