University News
Veterans and Service Members Inducted into SALUTE
April 30, 2013
MACOMB, IL - On Tuesday, April 16, the WIU Veterans Resource Center inducted 26 veterans and service members into SALUTE - the University's local chapter and the National Veterans Honor Society. Another program was conducted on Friday, April 26, at the WIU-QC Riverfront campus, during which four WIU-QC students were honored.
Western is a charter member, and considered one of the pioneers of the national honor society team. SALUTE recognizes veterans, active duty service members, National Guard members and reservists who have been honorably discharged, or who are currently serving. One of the primary goals of SALUTE is to recognize members who have shown courage, strength, leadership, excellence and perseverance in their military endeavors, and who are now showing that same commitment to their academic careers.
SALUTE Veterans Honor Society provides a four-tier system designed to encourage student veterans to strive to improve academic performance so they may advance to higher tier levels in the honor society. For undergraduate WIU students, the cumulative grade point average must fall within these guidelines: Delta tier 3.00-3.24; Charlie tier 3.25-3.49; Bravo tier 3.50-3.74; and Alpha tier 3.75-4.0. A graduate student with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 may be eligible as a SALUTE Gold member.
Overall, Western's local SALUTE Chapter represents the fifth largest group in the nation and the class of 2012-13 represents the sixth largest group to be inducted this year.
"The number of WIU veterans and service members who have achieved this academic honor speaks to the caliber of student veterans we are fortunate to serve at Western," said Veterans Resource Center Assistant Director Kathy Myers. "We celebrate the spirit of determination, resilience, diversity and compassion our student veterans and service members bring to Western Illinois University."
Each member selected for recognition through SALUTE was presented with a military style challenge coin and a membership certificate from Western Illinois University and the national organization.
This year's recipients include:
ILLINOIS
BLOOMINGTON: Kaitlyn M. Ramey, U.S. Army, junior, pre-nursing major.
BRAIDWOOD: Stephanie K. Fitch, Army National Guard, senior, economics major.
BUSHNELL: Travis T. Brown, Army National Guard, graduate student, liberal arts and sciences major.
CHATHAM: Randal D. Oakman, U.S. Army, senior, general studies major.
COAL VALLEY: Kacy J. Kelly, U.S. Air Force, senior, general studies major.
COLONA: Eric P. Sanders, U.S. Air Force, senior, general studies major.
ELGIN: Sergio I. Rodriguez, Army National Guard, graduate student, political science major.
ERIE: Angela S. Bahr, U.S. Air Force, senior, biology major.
LINDENHURST: Garrett T. Rogers, U.S. Navy, junior, law enforcement and justice administration major.
MACOMB – Timothy J. Bainter, U.S. Army, senior, supply chain management major.
MCHENRY: Andrew S. Brophy, U.S. Army, graduate student, engineering technology major.
MOLINE: Tiah E. Carlough, U.S. Army, senior, pre-business, conditional accounting major.
QUINCY: Dustin J. Dirth, U.S. Army, sophomore, computer science major and Kai E. Ruxlow, U.S. Army, senior, accounting major.
ROCK ISLAND: Ian M. Hammitt, U.S. Army, sophomore, pre-business, conditional management major.
RUSHVILLE: Jared R. Worley, U.S. Air Force, sophomore, English.
SILVIS: William A. Schultz, U.S. Army, senior, pre-business, conditional supply chain management major.
ST. FRANCISVILLE: Calvin L. Smith, U.S. Navy, senior, law enforcement and justice administration major.
SYCAMORE: Lukas R. Smith, U.S. Army, freshman, geology major.
WASHINGTON: Nick E. Moore, U.S. Army, pre-business, conditional supply chain management major.
WAUKEGAN: Daniel Ramirez, U.S. Marine Corps, junior, law enforcement and justice administration major.
IOWA
BETTENDORF: Kevin A. Kraft, U.S. Army, junior, general studies major.
BURLINGTON: Robyn G. Smalley, Army National Guard, senior, recreation, park and tourism administration major.
DEWITT: Zachary D. Beuthien, U.S. Army, graduate student, museum studies major.
MT. PLEASANT: Zachary R. Phillips, U.S. Marine Corps, junior, law enforcement and justice administration major.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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