What:  The University of North Texas Libraries Speaks Out series hosts a special Veterans Day event. Dr. Guenter Gross, UNT Regents Professor of biological sciences and director of the Center for Network Neuroscience, and David Smith and Jason Gibson, two of his former students, will discuss the transition from military life to civilian life and how that experience can be improved.

When: 6 - 8 pm Nov. 14 (Thursday)

Where: Forum of UNT’s Willis Library, 1506 Highland Ave., Denton

Cost: Free

Contact: Diane Wahl at diane.wahl@unt.edu or 940-891-6897

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Dr. Guenter Gross, University of North Texas Regents Professor of biological sciences and director of the Center for Network Neuroscience, and two of his former students,  David Smith and Jason Gibson, will  discuss veterans’ issues Nov. 14 (Thursday) as a part of the UNT Libraries UNT Speaks Out series. The three speakers will participate in a round-table discussion about re-entering civilian life from a highly structured military environment.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Forum on the first floor of UNT’s Willis Library, 1506 Highland Ave., Denton.

Each of the speakers served in the military prior to entering back into a higher educational environment. Gross was in an Air Force pilot and served in Vietnam, Smith served in the Marines in Afghanistan and Gibson served in the Army.

“In all of our cases, there was surprise about how little our fellow students understood about the military environment,” Gross said. “We all agree that setting goals quickly is of primary importance when being introduced back to civilian life. It requires experienced counselors, which are often not available at many universities.”

The speakers also will discuss how medication that is often prescribed to veterans can result in problems for student veterans.

Gross said that when the student veterans do not receive appropriate guidance on the use of medication, “the universities must step in and provide good, practical information on the dangers of medicines that they are provided and their massive effects on the brain function and behavior.”

The discussion aims to provide a basis for improvements to veteran care and assistance at UNT and other college and university campuses.