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Numerous Western Illinois University veterans and service members were honored for their academic success, student involvement and leadership during a ceremony April 14, including student induction into the WIU chapter of SALUTE, the national veterans honor society.
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Veterans and Service Members Honored for Academic Success and Leadership

April 24, 2018

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MACOMB, IL – Numerous Western Illinois University veterans and service members were honored for their academic success, student involvement and leadership during a ceremony April 14, including student induction into the WIU chapter of SALUTE, the national veterans honor society.

Senior computer science and political science double major John Kennealy, of Fairview Heights, IL, was honored with the first Outstanding Veteran Leadership award for his ongoing commitment to enhancing resources and opportunities available for veterans at Western. Through his campus and community involvement, Kennealy has advocated for the transition of veterans to the campus and local communities by looking for additional services, funding and staffing at the local and state levels.

Kennealy has served on the Student Government Association (SGS) for several years as the Finance/Special Projects Committee Chair, Speaker Pro Tempore, and he also received the SGA Senator of the Year Award for two consecutive years. He has also served on the Council on Student Activity Funds; the Council on Admissions, Graduation and Academic Standards; the IT Governance Administrative Alliance and the Student Tenant Union. He has led the WIU Veterans Club, serving as secretary and president, in addition to actively participating in many other committees and clubs.

The Fallen Soldier Scholarship recipients for the Fall 2017 semester were also announced during the ceremony, and include Steven Acuff, a graduate student in recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA) major from Aurora, IL; and Nathaniel Kerr, a senior agriculture major from Warsaw, IL. For the Spring 2018 term, the recipients are John Avelar, a senior law enforcement and justice administration (LEJA) major from South Elgin, IL; Ty Huston, a senior finance major from Table Grove, IL; and Charish Minard, a graduate student in LEJA from Gladstone, IL. Each recipient received a $500 scholarship.

Three students and two faculty members attending the celebration were honored for their contributions to "SITREP: Veteran Perspectives on Combat and Peace," a WIU literary magazine written and edited by students and alumni. Keneally; Asya Morrison, a sophomore psychology major from Rock Island, IL; Stephen Wallace, a junior LEJA major from Macomb; and Frank Warrington, a senior general studies major were presented certificates of appreciation for their accepted submissions for the fourth issue of the veteran literary magazine.

Assistant professors of English Jacqueline Wilson and Barbara Lawhorn each received a gift of appreciation for their ongoing efforts to ensure "SITREP" continues to allow veterans to express themselves through unconventional venues, develop lifelong bonds and serve as a best practice for other schools.

RPTA Assistant Professor Jeremy Robinett also received acknowledgement and a gift for his support and dedication to the well-being of veterans and service members at WIU. Robinett completed a study of WIU veterans last year and he has opened his door to any veteran who may have a question or needed to talk. He is also seeking external resources to fund new and innovative projects designed to meet the needs of WIU's veteran student population.

During the celebration, 38 student veterans and service members enrolled at Western were inducted into Western's chapter of SALUTE, the national veterans honor society, for the 2017-18 year.

According to Karla Schwartz, national administrator of SALUTE, Western's chapter surpassed two significant milestones during the 2017-18 year. The chapter not only inducted the largest class in Western history, the current membership represents the 10th largest in the nation.

Western is a charter member of the national honor society program. SALUTE recognizes veterans, active duty personnel, National Guard members and reservists who have been honorably discharged, or who are currently serving under honorable conditions. One of the primary goals of the society 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 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 (GPA) 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 to be inducted as a SALUTE Gold member.

Each member selected for recognition through SALUTE was presented with a military-style challenge coin and a membership certificate from the national organization, as well as a certificate of achievement from WIU.
Students inducted into SALUTE during the ceremony include:

ILLINOIS
Bolingbrook: Sean Morrissey, a sophomore construction management major

Carol Stream: Thomas Collum, a graduate student in political science; Nicholas Hatler, a sophomore LEJA major

Channahon: Jacelyn Fronek, a senior LEJA major

Chicago: Emir King, a junior general studies major

Colchester: Eric Little, a senior RPTA major

Crystal Lake: Brian Kauth, a sophomore construction management major

East Moline: Ashley Desplinter, a senior business management major

Elgin: Patrick Puckett, a Fall 2017 LEJA graduate

Geneseo: Brennon Gramling, a senior pre-business major; Conner Hartman, a junior mechanical engineering major

Hampshire: Jason Lunstrum, a junior LEJA major

LaHarpe: Arnold Bangel, a graduate student in engineering technology leadership

Lena: Chris Wagner, a sophomore LEJA major

Macomb: Justin Barnes, a senior LEJA major; Jeremy Hoving, a senior LEJA major; Tobias Rogerson, a senior LEJA major; Kodjo Amegan, a senior athletic training major; Aimee Anderson, a graduate student in counseling; Jose Maldonado, a graduate student in communication; Samuel McQuaid, a senior computer science major

Markham: Connor Rutherford, an LEJA graduate student

Monmouth: Cory Helms, a sophomore construction management major

Peoria: Vincent Cogdal, a senior general studies major

Plainfield: Alexander Tangen, a senior LEJA major

Port Byron: Justin Clark, a senior computer science; Rachel Farwell, a senior general studies major

Rio: William Wallerstedt, an engineering technology graduate student

Rock Falls: Nicholas Hammerschmidt, a senior LEJA major

Rock Island: Asya Morrison, a sophomore psychology major; Richard Rowe, a freshman pre-business – supply chain management major

Sterling: William Friedrich, a senior general studies major

Streamwood: Stiles Brda, a graduate student in LEJA

Taylorville: Travis Alsbury, a senior computer science major

Table Grove: Ty Huston, a senior finance major

Urbana: Donna Purcell, a senior general studies major

IOWA
Burlington: De Jionette Norton, a senior health services management major

MICHIGAN
Lake Orion: Bryce Rentscher, a junior LEJA major





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