COLUMBUS, Ga. - Columbus State University will mark Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, with a 10 a.m. ceremony in the Davidson Student Center, followed by Boots and Bites from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Whitley Clock Tower. The university invites the public to attend, along with students and employees. A 2 p.m. Green Zone training session for employees rounds out the day, according to the university's Nov. 2 announcement.

The announcement describes a full day of Veterans Day events and says Boots and Bites is open to students, employees and the public. The Green Zone session is directed at employees, who are asked to contact the organizer to attend. Anyone with questions about the ceremony or campus access can call the university's main number, listed below.

Veterans Day schedule at Columbus State

Columbus State's announced schedule includes three events at different campus locations. The program begins with a formal ceremony, continues with activities at the Whitley Clock Tower and ends with training for university employees. The Green Zone session is aimed at employees, while the university's invitation to the public covers the day's events more broadly.

• 10 a.m.: Veterans Day Ceremony, Columbus Room, Davidson Student Center
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Boots and Bites, Whitley Clock Tower
• 2 p.m.: Green Zone employee training, 130 Schuster Student Success Center

Retired Army colonel John House is the ceremony speaker

The Veterans Day Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the Columbus Room of the Davidson Student Center. Columbus State identifies John House, a Columbus native and retired U.S. Army colonel, as the speaker. His military background includes a 26-year Army career.

According to the university, House served as a field artillery officer and as a battalion operations officer during Operation Desert Storm. He also served as garrison commander at Camp Humphreys in South Korea. Those assignments are among the experiences the university cites in announcing his appearance.

House has also stayed involved in Columbus since his military service. The university says he served five years as an at-large Columbus city councilor. He remains involved through the university's military history collections at the Thomas Archives & Special Collections and through programs at the National Infantry Museum.

Boots and Bites runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The next event is Boots and Bites at the Whitley Clock Tower, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event features military-themed activities. Columbus State says students, employees and the public are welcome.

One activity is an obstacle course challenge provided by the National Guard. Another is a chance to sample Meals, Ready-to-Eat, commonly called MREs, hosted by the university's ROTC Cougar Battalion. Both are listed in the Nov. 2 description of the event.

The program also includes music from Cougars Outfitters. The Student Activities Committee is providing treats, according to the university. Those contributions make up the activities the university has identified for the two-hour event.

The university's announcement does not include visitor parking instructions or a campus access plan for people arriving from outside the university. Visitors may want to ask the university before they go. The main phone number is listed at the end of this story.

Green Zone training is for employees

The final event begins at 2 p.m. in room 130 of the Schuster Student Success Center. Columbus State calls it Green Zone employee training. The university says faculty and staff learn about the challenges and strengths of military-affiliated students.

Unlike Boots and Bites, the training is presented as a program for university employees. The announcement does not say whether anyone who is not an employee may attend. It names a contact for employees who want to attend: Susan Lovell, at [email protected].

A campus with a large military-connected population

The program takes place at a university that reports a sizable military-connected community. Columbus State says nearly 20% of its students have a military connection. The university also says 6% of its employees have direct military experience.

The university also points to recognition from MilitaryFriendly.com. Columbus State says it has been ranked in the top tier of military-friendly schools by that site for more than a decade. The announcement adds that the school was recently added to the site's list of top military-friendly spouse schools.

These are the university's own descriptions of the recognition. They are separate from the Nov. 11 schedule and do not affect who may attend any of the three events. The university includes them to show its continuing connection with military students and families.

Military-Connected Student Services supports more than 1,500

Columbus State says its Military-Connected Student Services office serves more than 1,500 active-duty service members, retirees, veterans, spouses and dependents. That means the office supports several groups rather than veterans alone. The figure covers military family members as well as service members.

The university lists education assistance and transfer credit among the services. It also names financial aid through Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, Military Tuition Assistance and military-earmarked scholarships. The announcement places those services alongside the Veterans Day schedule as part of the university's description of its military community.

The more than 1,500 total spans several different groups. The university does not describe that figure as a count of veterans alone. Its announcement names active-duty personnel, retirees, veterans, spouses and dependents as the people served.

City services close the same day

The City of Columbus has announced that local government services will be altered or suspended Nov. 11 for the Veterans Day holiday, with exceptions such as emergency services, according to a city notice. That makes the campus program one option for veterans and families on the holiday. This story covers only the Columbus State events.

What to know before Nov. 11

• Date: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.
• 10 a.m.: Veterans Day Ceremony, Columbus Room, Davidson Student Center. John House is the speaker.
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Boots and Bites, Whitley Clock Tower. Students, employees and the public are welcome.
• Activities: National Guard obstacle course challenge, MRE samples from the ROTC Cougar Battalion, music from Cougars Outfitters and treats from the Student Activities Committee.
• 2 p.m.: Green Zone employee training, 130 Schuster Student Success Center. Employees who want to attend can contact Susan Lovell at [email protected].
• Address: 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907.
• Main phone: 706-507-8800.
• Visitor parking: Instructions were not included in the Nov. 2 announcement.
• Public: The university invites the public to attend, along with students and employees.