November 16, 2015
Laurel Ridge Community College’s (Laurel Ridge) Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society is hosting an Honors Study Symposium, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. The theme is “Borders and boundaries: peacetime and wartime, the challenges veterans face when reentering society.” The guest speaker is Ben Shaw, freelance writer, photojournalist, Iraq war veteran, and Regional Director of the Northwestern Virginia Region for the Virginia Veteran and Family Support (formerly known as the Wounded Warrior Program).
Shaw is a native of Virginia, graduate of Virginia Tech, former Infantry Marine (3 tours in Iraq), and spent several months of 2009 in Iraq as an embedded journalist. He also completed an embed tour in Afghanistan in early 2010. Shaw continues to pursue veteran advocacy both personally and professionally.
Along with hosting the symposium, Phi Theta Kappa is sponsoring a writing contest that includes an essay or short story about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Best overall submission wins a $200 grand prize. Entries will be accepted until November 21, 2015.
This event is open to the public and will take place at Middletown Campus, Corron Community Center. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the program or writing entries, contact Jim Brumbaugh at [email protected] or telephone at 540-868-7204.

Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (