About a year and a half ago Bruce Gamradt walked into the student lounge at Palm Beach State College’s Palm Beach Gardens campus and immediately knew veterans wouldn’t feel comfortable there.

It was too noisy and crowded. The resident of Ibis Golf & Country Club in suburban West Palm Beach would know, he’s a veteran, too.

It took some time to find the appropriate space but now there’s a place on the second floor of the library that’s more quiet and peaceful, an area veterans would feel comfortable in, Gamradt said.

Gamradt, achieved his goal by asking his organization, the Ibis Friends of Veterans Charitable Org. Inc., for help. A donation of $25,000 was given to the school to open the resource center. It’s furnished with coffee machines, sitting areas, a computer area and snacks. It’s a place for veterans to learn about available benefits, to plan for the future, to study, socialize or just to have moments of quiet.

This afternoon, Gamradt, college officials, students, veterans and U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and officially opened the doors of the new Veterans Resource Center.

“This is going to be the flagship for the rest of the campuses,” said Gamradt.

For Benjamin Norman, a 24-year-old U.S. Marine veteran, the space will serve as an area to network with others. And a place to “decompress,” he said.

“It’s just helpful,” said Norman, who plans to study cyber security.

Luis Rivas, 24, is working to get into the police academy and said he plans to use the center.

“It’s an area for veterans to just hang out. It’s a great resource for veterans to find out what their benefits are and how to transition out of the military into the civilian world,” said Rivas, who served with the Marines.

Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, whose son is a veteran, said the center will serve as a place for veterans to become great students and have a successful future.

“I have so much empathy and respect for all of you who have served, because I understand a little bit from watching what the transition looks like,” she said. “Our veterans, our men and women who serve, they deserve the very best and the opportunity to be successful in their civilian life and that’s what this center will help do.”

The Gardens campus has about 500 veterans and there are about 1,800 between Gardens and the other three PBSC campuses in Boca Raton, Belle Glade and Lake Worth, said Scott MacLachlan, dean of student services.