Every spring on Armed Forces Day, Bill Clift walks the hills of Fort Knox with a “bunch of us old veterans,” sharing our country’s rich history and camaraderie with other retired military men and women, and their families and friends. He has organized the Veterans of Fort Knox “Walking in the Footsteps of History” event for the past five years.
Clift served in the US Army for eight years crewing and commanding tanks, and for the past 34 years, he has continued to dedicate his life to service and sacrifice for the military.
It’s no surprise, then, that he has earned the prestigious title of “Kentucky Colonel.” The Governor of Kentucky awards this honor to individuals for significant contributions to society through philanthropic service and other notable achievements of goodwill.
“I always have kept my fingers in veteran work to support our veterans,” he points out. “I like to celebrate veterans and encourage them to celebrate themselves,” he adds.
Some of Clift’s accolades include organizing the “Friends of Colonel Bill” motorcyclist veterans in Roseville’s Memorial Day Parade and the Memorial Day Parade in St. Clair Shores – considered one of the largest Memorial Day parades in Michigan. He also serves as founder and executive director of Safer Neighborhoods Warren, and leads the annual Lights on Wheels Parade and rides, which raises money for the Kentucky Colonel’s Good Work program.
But the story he especially likes to proudly share is the one about Cleary.
“I came out of retirement last year to take a job with the Detroit Police Department (DPD) to help start a Code Enforcement Unit,” and that’s when he heard about Cleary for the first time.
“I always wanted to continue my higher education but life got in the way,” he says. “I met a few of Cleary’s professors who were at the DPD and talked with them. I told them I was a very busy person, and they assured me the program was flexible, and if I faced any obstacles, they would help me navigate them.
“I learned I could pull down a BBA in one year, so at the ripe age of 60, I enrolled in Cleary’s accelerated program. It was a good deal. Through grants and some low interest student loans, it was affordable. For an old guy, this was a whole new game returning to school after 40 years.”
“Earning my degree has been a dream of mine.”
Clift has just a few more weeks of studies before he completes his degree. “I’ve always worked to be in the top 5 percent in everything I do,” he adds. “Cleary is no different.” He has maintained a 4.0 GPA and received an invitation to join the National Society of Leadership and Success.
“What I have accomplished at Cleary will help me greatly in my future endeavors with my 501c3 corporations,” he reports.
The school year has gone by quickly, Clift points out. “The professors have different styles of teaching, but they all are looking for the same outcome – to make sure we have the tools to succeed. If I have a question, the instructors and advisors are a phone call away; I get answers fast,” he finds. “I also appreciated that the professors made me feel like I was more than a face on a screen or a virtual person out there somewhere. They wrote personal notes on my papers with words of encouragement.
Clift found the program flexible, and the coursework relevant to the businesses he owns and his volunteer ventures. “I crafted and drafted a business plan for my Fort Knox tours, using practical applications I learned through the Cleary curriculum,” he is pleased to report.
Clift also was impressed with Cleary’s Veteran Resource Center staff who checked in with him to see he was receiving all of the resources entitled to him as a veteran. “They even investigated to see if there were more funds available toward my tuition. Cleary truly stands by its vets,” he notes.
His next step is walking across the stage in May 2026 to officially receive his degree. “I’m thinking about getting my master’s from Cleary, too,” he adds.
Cleary was recognized again as a top school for veterans
The Michigan Veterans Affair Agency (MVAA) has recognized Cleary University as a Gold Level Veteran-Friendly School (VFS) for the fourth consecutive academic year!
According to the MVAA, gold certification is the highest level of recognition, reserved for institutions that set the standard in supporting veterans, their dependents, and all military-connected learners. “This award reflects a university’s outstanding commitment, innovative programming and leadership in creating a welcoming, resource-rich environment for Michigan’s military-affiliated students,” announces Brian Love, MVAA director.
Schools that earn Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly status from the MVAA must meet at least six of the following criteria:
- Have an established process for identifying current student veterans
- Establish an active student veteran organization or club
- Provide veteran-specific career services, resources, advising or outcome monitoring
- Have an on-campus veterans coordinator or a designated staff contact
- Post a veteran-specific website
- Establish a system to evaluate and award academic credit that is based on prior military training and experience
- Monitor and evaluate student veteran academic retention, progress and graduation rates
Cleary University met all seven of the MVAA requirements.
Cleary offers these robust services and resources for veterans and members of the military:
- A 50 percent tuition match (up to $1,000 a semester) for active military and honorably discharged veterans through its Yellow Ribbon Enhancement program
- A 50 percent military grant for active military or honorably discharged veterans (after non-loan aid has been applied)
- A military-guaranteed tuition rate for those called into active duty while studying at Cleary
- College credits up to 15 semester hours (60 credits) for each year of active military service
- A fast track program for veterans to earn their degree quickly
- A Veterans Resource Center that provides support for current and future veteran students to improve their academic advancement and career path
- An on-campus dedicated veteran’s coordinator
- Peer support and mentoring services
- Tuition assistance and financial aid
- Counseling services and career advising specifically for veterans
- An active student veteran organization
In addition to this honor, Military Times named Cleary a “Best for Vets” for the third consecutive year. Cleary was one of only 12 colleges in Michigan to earn this national ranking.
