Harper College opening center for student veterans

More than 300 veterans are enrolled at Harper College in Palatine, and after spring break, they'll be able to gather in a dedicated space just for them.

The college's new Center for Student Veterans & Military-Connected Students is under construction within the college's Student Center. When complete, it will offer meeting space to allow veterans to visit with various service providers, including those who can help with resumes and cover letters. The center also is expected to host speakers and social events. There also will be group and individual study space.

The center was the idea of members of the school's Student Veterans' Association, which formed in 2015. Harper received a $10,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation and $80,000 from a private foundation last year to help get the center up and running.

Anthony Nishimura, the student group's vice president, said he is elated to have a new "base of operations."

"As an all-volunteer force, everyone of us that comes here as a student veteran all raised our right arm and swore an oath to defend the Constitution and follow orders," said Nishimura, an Army veteran who fought in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We signed up to make the world a better place and I'd like to believe we bring that every day as student veterans."

A soft opening is planned for March 27 and grand opening in the fall.