University News
WIU Veterans and Service Members Inducted to SALUTE Chapter and National Veterans Honor Society
May 11, 2012
MACOMB, IL – Thirty Western Illinois University veterans and service members were inducted into the University's chapter of SALUTE and to the National Veterans Honor Society on April 26.
The WIU inductees represent the third largest SALUTE class in the nation this year.
SALUTE recognizes veterans, active duty service members, National Guard members and reservists who have been honorably discharged, or who are currently serving their country. 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.
The 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.
"We are privileged to honor these dedicated veterans and service members who give so much of themselves," said Kathy Meyers of the WIU Veterans Resource Center. "These men and women have achieved academic honors while serving their country, supporting their comrades and classmates, juggling family and work responsibilities and assuming leadership roles on campus and in local communities."
During the ceremony, a special award was presented to Ron and Deborah Whitaker, parents of WIU student and Staff Sergeant Dustin R. Whitaker. Dustin was an honor student and had planned to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in December when he lost his life in a motorcycle accident April 1.
As a combat engineer in the Iowa National Guard, Whitaker served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, successfully completed Air Assault School, and served on the Governors 10. Whitaker was awarded the Purple Heart among many other honors.
Each member selected for recognition through SALUTE was presented with a military-style challenge coin and a membership certificate from the national organization, a certificate of achievement from Western Illinois University.
This year's recipients include: (Listed by state and city)
ILLINOIS
BLOOMINGTON: Michael D. Chasteen, law enforcement and justice administration, Army National Guard
CAMP POINT: Chris W. Gronewold, instructional design and technology, United States Army Reserve
COLCHESTER: Ashley L. Little, sociology, United States Army
DAKOTA: Ryan L. Reidelbaugh, law enforcement and justice administration, United States Marine Corps
EAST MOLINE: Anthony J. Moreno, general studies, Air National Guard
ELGIN: Alejandro Nava, general studies, United States Marine Corps; Corrina Soto, bilingual/bicultural education and Spanish, Army National Guard
GLEN ELLYN: Lee C. Mathieu, law enforcement and justice administration, United States Army Reserve
HAMILTON: Nathan J. Pierce, history, United States Army; Dustin R. Whitaker, biology, Army National Guard
HUNTLEY: Frank D. Schermer, law enforcement and justice administration, United States Army
JERSEYVILLE: Kelsey J. Snyder, law enforcement and justice administration and history, United States Army Reserve
LEWISTOWN: Clayton E. Ginglen, educational leadership, United States Army Reserve
MACOMB: Bryan L. Baca, political science, United States Army; Donald E. Bowen, general studies, United States Army; Robert L. Elliott, general studies, Army National Guard; Kyle G. Fenimore, construction management, United States Army
MOLINE: Jason A. Martin, accounting, United States Marine Corps
MONMOUTH: Jerry D. Taylor, English, Army National Guard
MT. PULASKI: Dillon E. Huff, forensic chemistry, United States Navy Reserve
NAUVOO: Matthew D. Kraus, political science, United States Army, Matthew E. Pezley, agriculture, Air National Guard
PEORIA: Michael D. Harmon, exercise science, United States Marine Corps
WORTH: Joseph C. Maluck, law enforcement and justice administration, United States Marine Corps
ZION: Phillip J. Andrade, athletic training, United States Marine Corps
COLORADO
COLORADO SPRINGS: Joanna M. Noel, general studies, United States Air Force
IOWA
BURLINGTON: Charlotte R. Anderson, nursing, United States Army
CLINTON: Bradley A. Nolan, law enforcement and justice administration, United States Army Reserve
MISSOURI:
ST. LOUIS: Darrick R. Cooper, law enforcement and justice administration, United States Army Reserve
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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