NDSU’s Veteran Alliance Organization, known as VALOR, has recognized Kevin Kettner, academic adviser and lecturer in the NDSU Advising Resource Center, with the group’sfirst VALOR Ally of the Year Award. Kettner was honored during a surprise award presentation April 10.
“VALOR is pleased to present its inaugural Ally of the Year Award to Kevin Kettner. He embodies everything that we hope our allies will be – a consistent advocate, supporter and resource to student veterans," said VALOR faculty liaison Carol Cwiak, associate professor of emergency management. “Kevin has been an ally for student veterans for the entirety of his time at NDSU. His commitment to student veterans has been one of the most consistent threads of service, concern and advocacy we can point to institutionally at NDSU.”
Kettner has been with NDSU for nearly 17 years. He is a Navy veteran, who served on the USS Puffer, a nuclear submarine stationed in Hawaii. He advises students in the areas of:
• Agriculture and applied science
• Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"It is not uncommon to see many of Kevin’s students come back to see him and say hello or stop in because a friend or roommate found him to be so helpful and suggested they also meet with him. This is a testament to Kevin’s focus and prioritization of students and dedication to NDSU,” said Andrea Hein, Advising Resource Center director. "As a veteran himself, Kevin is very knowledgeable about appropriate conversations with students with military backgrounds and approaches discussion of opportunities and challenges with a breadth of knowledge of campus and community resources. In the past, he organized a campuswide webinar about advising military students."
Kettner earned his associate’s degree at Hennepin Technical College, bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University, master’s degree in sociology at the University of North Dakota and pursued doctoral studies at Iowa State University.
VALOR’s mission is to enhance the success of student veterans, including veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and members of the National Guard.
As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.
