University News

WIU: Military Friendly School 15 Consecutive Years; Receives Gold Status

March 29, 2024

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Veterans admissions information can be found at wiu.edu/veterans.

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Because of Western Illinois University's long-time support of veterans and active service personnel, the University has been recognized for 15 years running as a "Military Friendly School" by Viqtory/Military Friendly, achieving "Gold" status for 2024-2025. WIU ranked eighth in the United States for small public universities earning top 10 for Military Spouse Friendly School.

The University's Wright Residence, donated by the family of a WWII veteran, serves as the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and provides streamlined services and resources in a centralized location to ensure all veterans, guard members, reservists and active duty personnel and their families receive individual assistance. The center also features computer access, a study/meeting room, a three-season porch and student-veteran peer assistants who work with student-veterans. Students gain direct access to a comprehensive array of services, such as VA benefits, financial assistance, disability resources, health care, career development and personal wellness.

"I think there is a reason we keep getting this award. Namely, it is because of what we do for our veterans, active duty, drilling reservists and their families that I'd place our military activation policy against any other university or college worldwide," WIU Veterans Resources Center Director Ronald Pettigrew said. "In addition to special military-friendly admission policies, guaranteed credit for military training and special scholarships and financial assistance, our center has established partnerships with various campus and community organizations.


"As a center there, I emphasize we do not operate alone. WIU has over 30 faculty, staff and administrators who dedicate significant paid and non-paid time and talent to support the initiatives of the Veterans Resource Center through the Military Friendly Credentialing Program. (wiu.edu/student_success/veterans/militaryFriendlyCredentialingProgram). Military liaisons, who are passionate about helping our veterans, active duty, drilling reservists and their families, are in departments throughout campus. Similarly, the VRC staff is mostly made of veterans, drilling reservists and/or their family members who always go above and beyond, showing up during weekends and after hours, supporting special admissions, recruiting and other fairs and programming to ensure our success. In the first weeks of this semester, working with just a few students my staff saved some of our veterans, drilling reservists or their family members over $35,000 in benefits they were not even aware of which makes this award well deserved," added Pettigrew.

The center also sponsors a series of group seminars and workshops each year based on the needs of its military and veteran student population and larger campus community. During this 2023-24 academic year, more than 15 opportunities were available through the Military Friendly Credentialing Program, coordinated by WIU Associate Professor Jeremy Robinett, in partnership with the VRC. The MFCP provides opportunities for faculty, staff, administrators, or BOT members to learn ways to support military service students and has seen tremendous growth in participation. It should be noted that this past May more credentials were presented than ever before.

For more information about veterans' resources at WIU, contact Pettigrew at R-Pettigrew@wiu.edu or (309) 298-3505.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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