SSG Matthew Thompson

Veterans Resource Center

Honoring the memory of SSG Matthew Thompson

Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson

Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson, 28 years of age, died August 23, 2016, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, of injuries caused by an improvised explosive device that detonated near his patrol while conducting dismounted operations in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Thompson was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Matthew graduated from Concordia University Irvine with a B.A. in Theological Studies in 2011.

The Veterans Resource Center was officially re-named after SSG Matthew Thompson on Memorial Day May 29, 2017, at the Colonel Barber Memorial Park located in Irvine, CA.

The Grand Opening of the SSG Matthew Thompson Veterans Resource Center was held on November 10, 2017.

The VRC

Military branches hanging on the wall Folded American flag in a shadow box CUI's veteran students and alumni CUI's veteran flag American flag American Legion flag Photos of veterans in a collage Folded American flag in a shadow box Vintage military artwork Military dog tags American flags Military branches hanging on the wall
Steve Leader

Steve Leader

Veterans Resource Center Manager

Phone: (949) 214-3129
Email: steve.leader@cui.edu

About the Director

Steve Leader, director of CUI’s SSG Matthew Thompson Veterans Resource Center, was named Veteran of the Year for the 68th California State Assembly district after being secretly nominated by two CUI students.

Leader and around eighty veterans from other districts were celebrated at the State Capitol in June with a banquet, framed certificates of recognition, and a VIP tour of the building, including the Assembly floor. Dr. Steven Choi, who selected Leader for the honor, serves as Assemblyman of the 68th district, and is also on CUI’s President’s Advisory Council.

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