VIDEO: UK Honors Student Veteran Andrew Hatfield

Video produced by UK Public Relations and Marketing. To view captions for this video, push play and click on the CC icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. If using a mobile device, click on the "thought bubble" in the same area.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 8, 2017) — As a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Andrew Hatfield, from Somerset, Kentucky, traveled to 13 different countries on various deployments.

"I really enjoyed it," Hatfield said. "I made some of the best friends I've ever had and it was just overall a wonderful experience."

But after several years of service, Hatfield had a new goal in mind — earning a degree in accounting from the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Since arriving on campus, he says UK's Veterans Resource Center (VRC) has helped him make the transition from military life to college life. 

"The fact UK actually does employ somebody to take care of us and ensure things go great for us really means a lot," Hatfield said.

But he says that support goes beyond the VRC.

"I am always proud to be a veteran and I'm grateful for the respect that I get from all the people around the nation," Hatfield said. "But at the University of Kentucky, it has really been noticeable. People truly do care for the veterans of the military … not just the student veterans, but everyone, and I just really appreciate that they treat us in such a good manner."

Watch Hatfield's full video story by clicking on the link above. 

This video is the fourth in a five-part series highlighting student veterans at the University of Kentucky. During the coming weeks, these student veterans will be honored by UK Athletics during UK men's basketball games at Rupp Arena. 

For more information about student veterans at the University of Kentucky, visit the Veterans Resource Center website.