AURORA, Colo. (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025)—The Community College of Aurora (CCA) has proudly unveiled a brand-new space dedicated to the courageous individuals who have served their country in the United States military.
School officials—including those who have served in the military, community members, students, and more—gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official dedication of the “Veterans Corner.”
The space, located in the Administration Building on the CentreTech campus, features a large mural showcasing a historic photograph of the Lowry Air Force Base. It is also adorned with the dedication, “CCA Recognizes the Contributions of Our Student Veterans.” Plaques line the wall, honoring the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force.
CCA President Dr. Morecai Ian Brownlee spoke about the importance of recognizing the heroism and sacrifice of CCA’s student veterans, saying, “At the Community College of Aurora, we honor the sacrifice and service of our veteran students—past and present—by ensuring they have a dedicated space on campus that reflects our deep gratitude and unwavering support. This space stands as a testament to their courage, resilience, and the profound impact they have on our college community.”
The new space was created in partnership with the Colorado Freedom Memorial (CFM) and was spearheaded by CFM President Rick Crandall. Crandall spoke at the grand opening about the CFM and shared his inspiration for the memorial, recalling a story of spending time alone in the Normandy Cemetery in France and realizing that Aurora needed a space to remember fallen heroes. Crandall also highlighted the unique tie this memorial has to CCA, as it helps honor the memories of those who served through education.
“I can’t overstate just how much the Colorado Freedom Memorial values our special relationship with Community College of Aurora. To be committed to the veteran students of CCA with this special Veterans Corner and then join the CFM as a sponsor of our Reflection Room shows how passionate CCA is about the whole person. We could not have better partners,” Crandall said.
During the celebration, Dr. Brownlee presented CFM with a check for $5,000 for the new Colorado Freedom Memorial Center. CCA will sponsor the Center’s reflection space when it is built. The Center will also feature a theater for presentations, a classroom with computers linked to CFM partners across the country with the goal of researching Colorado’s military stories, and providing accurate family data through a partnership with Ancestry.com. The Center will also host field trips, events, and more.
“Our partnership with the Colorado Freedom Memorial strengthens this commitment, uniting us in the mission to preserve their legacy, uplift their stories, and ensure that their service is never forgotten,” Dr. Brownlee said.
Be sure to visit the Veterans Corner on the CentreTech campus and learn more about the Colorado Freedom Memorial by clicking HERE.
About the Community College of Aurora:
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on two (2) campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent-enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
Contact:
Courtney Butler
Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]