Help is all around
Nicole Brockunier
Issue date: 8/28/09 Section: News
The Veterans Open House was held on Wednesday to welcome both veteran students and those on active duty, as well as inform them of the resources available to them on and around campus.
"There's an army of individuals here to help you," said Kathy Meyers, assistant director of the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center.
Matt Medhat, president of the Veterans Club, which was founded in 1945, spoke to the group about the meaning and mission of the club, which is to help students transition from the military life to an academic one. It has a relaxed and fun environment with no strict guidelines.
"It's a great peer-to-peer network," Medhat said.
Their main goals for this year are to raise money for a number of charities, such as Wounded Warriors and Paralyzed Vets of America, and to make sure the members have as much fun as possible. They can often be found at football games with faces painted, mops on their heads and plungers in hand.
The club, which is open to any current or past military member, meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Union Board Room.
According to First Lieutenant Valerie Hollenbeck, who attended the event, Western has had the largest ROTC program in the Midwest since 1968.
If a student is called to active duty, while attending school they have the option to withdraw from some or all classes with a refund and are able to lock in their tuition rate. They also receive an advanced registration date upon their return. "We know what it's like to be a vet," said Angela Lynn of the registrar's department.
These students also have counseling readily available to them.
Marsha Dace, of the University Counseling Center, explained the services offered to veterans.
The center provides free counseling for individuals and couples. It also has career counseling and testing. There are 10 counselors available to listen, and she said, it is completely confidential.
The Peoria Vet Center also provides counseling. "Sometimes you just need to talk to somebody. The majority of our counselors are vets. This isn't our job, it's our passion. We just want [them] to be successful," said Ron Ball of the Peoria Vet Center. The Center provides psychosocial and readjustment counseling for military personnel who have experienced combat.
Just recently, Western was recognized with a Military-Friendly Institution Award for being so flexible and supportive. "We have a policy that allows us to be as flexible as humanly possible," Lynn said.
At the close of the open house, goodies such as bags, hats, highlighters and pens were distributed to the veterans.
Veterans Club, contact Matt Medhat at 949/547-7376 or mc-medhat@wiu.edu.
"There's an army of individuals here to help you," said Kathy Meyers, assistant director of the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center.
Matt Medhat, president of the Veterans Club, which was founded in 1945, spoke to the group about the meaning and mission of the club, which is to help students transition from the military life to an academic one. It has a relaxed and fun environment with no strict guidelines.
"It's a great peer-to-peer network," Medhat said.
Their main goals for this year are to raise money for a number of charities, such as Wounded Warriors and Paralyzed Vets of America, and to make sure the members have as much fun as possible. They can often be found at football games with faces painted, mops on their heads and plungers in hand.
The club, which is open to any current or past military member, meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Union Board Room.
According to First Lieutenant Valerie Hollenbeck, who attended the event, Western has had the largest ROTC program in the Midwest since 1968.
If a student is called to active duty, while attending school they have the option to withdraw from some or all classes with a refund and are able to lock in their tuition rate. They also receive an advanced registration date upon their return. "We know what it's like to be a vet," said Angela Lynn of the registrar's department.
These students also have counseling readily available to them.
Marsha Dace, of the University Counseling Center, explained the services offered to veterans.
The center provides free counseling for individuals and couples. It also has career counseling and testing. There are 10 counselors available to listen, and she said, it is completely confidential.
The Peoria Vet Center also provides counseling. "Sometimes you just need to talk to somebody. The majority of our counselors are vets. This isn't our job, it's our passion. We just want [them] to be successful," said Ron Ball of the Peoria Vet Center. The Center provides psychosocial and readjustment counseling for military personnel who have experienced combat.
Just recently, Western was recognized with a Military-Friendly Institution Award for being so flexible and supportive. "We have a policy that allows us to be as flexible as humanly possible," Lynn said.
At the close of the open house, goodies such as bags, hats, highlighters and pens were distributed to the veterans.
Veterans Club, contact Matt Medhat at 949/547-7376 or mc-medhat@wiu.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Josh Smith
posted 8/28/09 @ 2:24 PM CST
Great article....quick and to the point...outstanding job.
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