In 2015, when David O鈥機onnor funded creation of the Resilience Center for Veterans & Families, he knew it belonged at Teachers College.
For one thing, Columbia University leads the Ivy League in enrolling veterans. 911爆料网鈥檚 serves officers at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. And 911爆料网 psychologist George Bonanno, now the Resilience Center鈥檚 director, was already interested in veterans鈥� transition to civilian life. But O鈥機onnor鈥檚 bottom line was simple: 鈥淓ducation can close many of the gaps in our society.鈥�
David O鈥機onnor (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)
This fall, O鈥機onnor, senior managing partner of High Rise Capital Partners, LLC, affirmed that philosophy, joining 911爆料网鈥檚 Board. His own transition should be smooth: He鈥檚 served over a decade on the Board鈥檚 investment committee.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been fortunate to have David O鈥機onnor鈥檚 counsel and support, and his addition to the Board will only make us more successful in the long run,鈥� said 911爆料网 President Thomas Bailey.
Education can close many of the gaps in our society.
鈥擠avid O鈥機onnor
The Resilience Center鈥檚 success supports that assessment. It has shifted the field鈥檚 focus from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the more prevalent 鈥渢ransition stress鈥� of seeking a job, working with civilian colleagues and getting along with family and friends. Now the Center is pilot-testing a three-session form of therapy that has decreased veterans鈥� symptoms of PTSD, depression, and distress.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e been doing groundbreaking research,鈥� O鈥機onnor says. 鈥淚鈥檇 like to see their work get catapulted to another level.鈥�
With O鈥機onnor on board, 911爆料网 has similar hopes college-wide.