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While serving 13 years in the Navy, Vincent Intrieri experienced incredible things. He saw the Indian Ocean sparkle a vibrant blue-green thanks to bioluminescence. He recalls that the boat-filled Port of Singapore looked like “Manhattan on the water.” He’s collected military challenge coins from high-ranking officials as recognition for his work as a Naval logistics specialist. 

Adding to his list of memorable life moments: Intrieri graduated from 51��Ƶ-Dearborn this weekend. “The plan all along was to join the military and earn a college degree. It’s taken a little while for me to get here — but I wouldn’t change it. I’m exactly where I need to be at the right time,” says Intrieri, an international studies major who will continue his education at American University in their master’s of international relations program. “This is a moment I’ve been thinking about for years. It opens the door for me to work in geopolitics and diplomacy.” 

51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s Veterans Services office made graduation weekend extra memorable for Intrieri and the 18 additional graduating service members and their families by hosting a ceremony the day before Saturday’s all-campus Commencement ceremonies.

At the Military-Affiliated Graduation, veterans and their families took photos in front of the Block M and were greeted by Chancellor Domenico Grasso, who is a former major in the U.S. Army, and faculty and staff from across the university. and faculty and staff from across the university. They also listened to the keynote speaker, U.S. Navy veteran Anthony Sclafani, a 2015 Master of Public Policy graduate, Sclafani, who works in MIchigan at the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems, encouraged the audience to continue seeking out knowledge and to look for ways to serve the country through civic engagement.  

Graduating veterans were also presented with red, white and blue cords to wear with their cap and gown, along with a 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Challenge Coin. Challenge coins are commemorative medallions with an organization's emblem or insignia that are given to members of the military to recognize achievements. “It’s a military tradition. Unit commanders give it to service members for doing something above and beyond that doesn’t warrant a medal, but still deserves recognition,” says 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Veterans Affairs Coordinator Tom Pitock, a veteran with a 20-plus year career in the Coast Guard.

Pitock, who came to 51��Ƶ-Dearborn in 2017, designed the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Challenge Coin. He also started the tradition of the Military-Affiliated Graduation, which is held prior to both the fall and spring commencement ceremonies.

Knowing that veterans have their own unique set of challenges — from experiencing war to returning to school at an older age — Pitock wanted to create a space where they could hear words of inspiration from an armed services leader, network with each other and alums for job leads, and reflect on their collegiate journeys together.

Pitock used his G.I. Bill to earn his degree. He recalls how difficult it was to transition from the disciplined world of military life to a more flexible civilian-student one. “Even something as simple as learning how to take tests, learning how to be a student again, is difficult. It can be frustrating when that is difficult after you’ve already had so much life experience — especially when you combine it with not knowing who to ask because there is not a chain of command like in the military,” he says. “I had to take remedial classes to get into the swing of things when I returned to college. I’ve found that overcoming obstacles makes success even more of an accomplishment. I want to recognize these men and women, along with their families, for their service and their perseverance.”

Frank Carter, a 2023 College of Engineering and Computer Science alum, says the Military-Affiliated Graduation was a highlight for him. He served in the Army as an intelligence specialist and now works as an electrical engineer for Brunswick Corporation. At 51��Ƶ-Dearborn, Carter was active in the Student Veterans Association and he used his engineering skills to create a challenge coin holder on the 3D printer at the university’s MSEL machine shop so that grads could wear the coins on cords around their neck. “I love challenge coins and I was proud to wear my coin from 51��Ƶ-Dearborn,” Carter says. “Typically you only see them in offices or on a desk. This way, we had a different way to display them.”

Carter says Pitock’s guidance was instrumental in helping him find his place in college. “Tom motivated me and kept me on track when things got hard. If you need guidance, all the student veterans know that Tom is the guy to turn to. He does so much for our community, including planning a special graduation for veterans twice a year, which is not an easy task,” he says. 

Carter says having a special recognition for veterans gives a needed feeling of appreciation. “No words can express how grateful I am for this event. It’s a way you can celebrate with your blood family and your brothers and sisters in arms — you can watch the people you’ve gotten to know during your years together on campus cross the finish line up close and personal,” he says. “It is also a way to honor older veterans, like those from the Vietnam or Gulf War era, who often didn’t get a positive reception when they came home from war.”

Reflecting on his time at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn, Intrieri says he’s grateful for the opportunities he’s had, including working at the Veterans Services office and answering questions for incoming students, serving as a Veterans Treatment Court mentor in the City of Dearborn's 19th District Court and organizing a welcome tent for the U-M Athletics Veteran of the Game at football home games. He’s also a 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Difference Maker and a Dean's Medallion recipient, two university top honors.

And Pitock was present for it all, Intrieri says. “I came here for college and expected to get a good education — but 51��Ƶ-Dearborn pulled something out of me that I didn’t know I had. Tom had a lot to do with that and has opened so many doors for me. I knew I could do it, but I didn't know I could do it with being so involved and with all of the accolades and awards,” he says. “I’m glad to celebrate this step with the veteran community. We just accomplished an important milestone — but this is only the beginning.”

Story by Sarah Tuxbury