D’Youville University Receives Seven Seals Award, Honors Veteran Alumni During Veterans Day Celebration

National recognition and an annual campus luncheon highlight the University's commitment to supporting veterans and celebrating their continued service.

D’Youville University has received the prestigious Seven Seals Award in recognition of its commitment to supporting veterans, National Guard and Reserve members through education, mentorship and opportunities for meaningful careers.

The award, presented by the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation in partnership with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), recognizes significant achievements and initiatives that advance ESGR's mission. ESGR is an office of the U.S. Department of Defense dedicated to promoting cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and members of the National Guard and Reserve.

The Seven Seals Award is ESGR's broadest and most inclusive recognition, honoring individuals and organizations whose efforts demonstrate an exceptional commitment to military service members.

For D’Youville, the recognition reflects an ongoing effort to help veterans translate their military experience into academic achievement and professional success.

During the past three academic years, 116 veteran students earned credentials from D’Youville across 29 academic programs. Of those graduates, 74% earned degrees in licensed health professions, including nursing, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and physical therapy.

The University supports military-connected students through dedicated advising, assistance with VA education benefits, veteran scholarships, credit for military training and experience, and flexible learning opportunities.

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Celebrating Veterans Who Continue to Serve

The recognition comes as D’Youville celebrated Veterans Day with its annual veterans luncheon on campus, bringing together veteran students, alumni, faculty and staff to recognize their service and contributions to the community.

During the gathering, D’Youville President Dr. Lorrie Clemo spoke about the lasting impact veterans make throughout Western New York, emphasizing the leadership, dedication and commitment to service they bring to healthcare and other professions.

The luncheon also honored five D’Youville alumni whose military careers and professional accomplishments reflect that commitment.

• Staff Sergeant Dr. Caitlin Kerling, a 2026 Doctor of Pharmacy graduate, serves with the Air National Guard's 107th Attack Wing in Niagara Falls as a public health technician.
• Major Casey Krug, a 2018 graduate of D’Youville's Physician Assistant program, serves in the New York Army National Guard. A veteran of two deployments to Afghanistan, he is a physician assistant and medical company commander responsible for leading and training 83 soldiers.
• Master Sergeant LeAnn Nowasell, a 2025 Family Nurse Practitioner graduate, served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as an aeromedical evacuation flight medic based at Niagara Falls. She now works as a family nurse practitioner at WellNow Urgent Care.
• Sergeant Major Fredrick Trunzo Jr. (Retired), a 2023 nursing graduate and Purple Heart recipient, completed a 30-year U.S. Army career that included combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He continues serving the military community through the New York National Guard's Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce and veteran nonprofit organizations.
• Captain Dr. Richard Zawislak, a 2026 graduate of D’Youville's mental health nurse practitioner program, served in the U.S. Army Reserve, including deployment to Iraq, and was a first responder at Ground Zero following September 11. He now provides mental health services to firefighters, police officers and military members through his private practice.

Together, their stories demonstrate how the values developed through military service continue to benefit patients, families and communities long after their initial service commitments.

A Continued Commitment to Military-Connected Students

D’Youville's commitment to veterans and their families was also recognized earlier this year when the University earned a Top 10 national ranking as a 2026–2027 Military Friendly® School, placing ninth nationally. D’Youville also ranked eighth nationally among Military Spouse Friendly® Schools.

As the University celebrates Veterans Day, these recognitions reinforce its commitment to providing educational opportunities and meaningful support for those who have served, while honoring the leadership and contributions they continue to make throughout Western New York.