RANDLE NAMED ‘VETERANS ADVOCATE OF THE MONTH’

Buffalo - The Erie County Veterans Service Agency presented the March 2010 ‘Veterans Advocate of the Month Award’ to Benjamin L. Randle, Jr., director of veterans affairs at D’Youville College.

"Ben epitomizes the idea of what it is to be an education veteran’s counselor and advocate at a college or university,” said Patrick W. Welch, director. "His commitment toward advancing the partnership initiative between the Agency and local higher educational institutions to become veteran-friendly, have yielded incredible results.”

"Returning veterans wanting to attend college using their G.I. Bill benefits can rest assured that Ben will do everything possible to maximize their education benefits,” Welch added.

D’Youville, a "Yellow Ribbon Veteran Friendly college, provides a $3500 per semester veterans scholarship.

Randle, a Buffalo native and former Eagle Scout, graduated from John Carroll University with a degree in Biochemistry and minors in mathematics and philosophy. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corp and served three tours of duty in Vietnam.

He received several combat decorations, including two Purple Hearts, and was discharged with rank of Captain.

Randle served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, in the Buffalo School System for 36 years and school district administrator in West Valley. During that time, Randle completed two Master’s Degrees, one in education and one in educational administration, at Canisius College.

Randle was named Director of the new Veterans Affairs Department at D’Youville in 2009.

He and his wife Patricia are parents of seven children and seven grandchildren and reside in Colden, N.Y.

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