#3 in Military Ranking, #1 in Men’s Ice Hockey: Big Year for Quinnipiac University

High rankings have bookended this academic year at Quinnipiac University.  Just weeks after the Fall Semester began, Quinnipiac learned it was ranked #3 in the nation for military service members and veterans, and in recent weeks, with the Spring Semester coming to a close, the university’s hockey team won its first-ever national championship at the Frozen Four.

The hockey championship was widely heralded, and the notoriety it has brought is seen as being a help to spread the school’s name far beyond it’s Hamden campus, perhaps leading to a boost in college applications.  The military ranking has also gained notice in certain circles.

Military Times ranked Quinnipiac No. 1 in Connecticut and No. 3 in the country in its 2022 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings, which were published last fall.

“Our student veterans and military dependents continue to embrace their college experience and maintain their diligence with our degree programs and high retention rates,” said Jason Burke, director of veteran and military affairs at Quinnipiac. “I am extremely proud of how hard our cadre focuses on their academics as well as participating in our many co-curricular and extra-curricular offerings.”

The 2022 “Best for Vets: Colleges” survey includes responses from more than 300 schools that answered more than 70 questions on their services and programs specific to military students — whether active-duty, veteran or families and dependents of service-members.

Also ranked were Goodwin University at number 133 and Middlesex Community College at number 185, the only Connecticut schools in addition to Quinnipiac to participate in the survey.

Student Veteran James Magson, a junior political science major, told the Quinnipiac Chronical that attending Quinnipiac has been one of his most fulfilling experiences, second only to serving in the Marine Corps from 2015-2020.

“We are all very different and contribute to Quinnipiac in different ways, but the veteran community has managed to remain unified through academic collaboration, personal mentorship, and simply being friends,” Magson wrote in an email to The Chronicle. “Being a part of this community has strengthened my academic performance and personal life as well.”

The previous year, Military Times has ranked Quinnipiac University No. 1 in Connecticut, No. 3 in the Northeast and No. 12 nationally for private, non-profit universities in its 2021 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings.

The ice hockey championship was won in memorable style, with the Bobcats coming from a two-goal deficit to win with a quick goal just 10 seconds into overtime.  University President Judy Olian, in a conversation with CT Insider columnist Dan Haar after the championship was won, made a strong case for lasting ripple effects -- if Quinnipiac uses its moment in the spotlight wisely -- for the university and even beyond that, for the state.

"There’s no question that there is a halo effect which can bring an emotional connection to the institution because of the joy and the pride of winning," she said.  More than 3,000 fans were on hand to salute the champions at a rally on campus days after the victory.