LCCC named Military Friendly School for seventh straight year

 

GODFREY — For the seventh consecutive year, Lewis and Clark Community College has been named to the Military Friendly Schools list, which honors colleges, universities and trade schools that support America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and to ensure their success on campus.

Institutions completed a survey of more than 100 questions that judged 10 categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies.

LCCC offers a variety of services and benefits to veterans and their families. LCCC’s Veteran Services office serves more than 260 military and veteran students, their spouses and their dependents each academic year. These groups receive assistance with a variety of State of Illinois and VA education benefits such as the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment and Dependents’ Educational Assistance as well as information on employment, physical and mental health, campus events, community agencies offering services, etc.

The Veterans Club on campus also serves military and veteran students as well as any student interested in the club and its activities. The club sponsors blood drives, collects shoes and eyeglasses for re-use, conducts fundraisers and donates to campus and community activities such as area veteran memorials, Wreaths Across America, VA hospitals, honor flights, etc.

A Veterans Resource Center has been established on the third floor of Baldwin Hall on LCCC’s Godfrey campus. The center provides computers, a TV and resource materials in a relaxed atmosphere where veterans can study or talk with peers. Madison County Veterans Assistance Commission, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and VA Vet Center veteran representatives also utilize the center for meeting with students.

“We are very proud to be recognized for our commitment to helping military and veteran students achieve their education goals,” said Terry Lane, director of Career and Veteran Services at LCCC and a veteran himself. “Their representation in the student body is significant, and we continue to explore ways to address and anticipate their needs.”

College and Foundation Board Member Dwight Werts and his wife Cheryl Werts have made significant contributions to establish and maintain a Veteran Emergency Loan Fund for LCCC military and veteran students. The Werts family donation to establish the fund was matched by the LCCC Foundation’s President’s Circle. Their support has continued in subsequent years which has allowed the fund to stay available to veterans in need.

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