MCC to honor student veterans, inaugurate new resource center
McHenry County College hosts a Veterans Day recognition ceremony Nov. 10 followed by an open house of its remodeled Student Veterans Resource Center.
Community members, student veterans, faculty and staff members will gather at 9 a.m. in the gymnasium/multipurpose room of Building A on campus, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.
The program begins with patriotic music by the MCC concert band and chorus, includes speakers, posting of the colors by a combined service Color Guard, and bagpipes and drum music.
Retired Air Force Col. Craig Wilcox is the keynote speaker. He served as support group commander of the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. He led 373 military personnel and civilians in two squadrons and provided global command and control communications. Wilcox, of McHenry, now is a leadership instructor for Air University.
"Our annual Veterans Day program is one of several efforts at the college to honor our country's military veterans," said Don Curfman, instructor and adviser for MCC's Student Veterans Association. "We also help veterans transition from the military service to college with our student organization and our Student Veterans Resource Center."
Following the ceremony is an open house and ribbon cutting in Room C122 of the Student Veterans Resource Center. Its remodeling was funded through a $10,000 grant as part of a nationwide initiative by Student Veterans of America and The Home Depot Foundation to support veterans centers on college campuses. It allowed for the center's expansion - tripling its size - and new academic and student support resources.
Established in 2013, the center assists veterans with college registration, Veterans Assistance Commission claims, peer mentoring, housing resources, wellness advocacy, nutrition and volunteerism. It receives up to 300 monthly visits by student veterans who attend MCC.
"Many student veterans have put in volunteer hours to renovate, paint and spruce up the center," Curfman said.
Refreshments will be served following the program. For more information, call the MCC Veterans Day Committee at (815) 479-7635.
Also, MCC's chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges is sponsoring a food drive of snacks, bottled water, reusable bottles and instant soups in honor of student veterans. Red and blue bins are placed throughout campus. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 18. Gift cards from Jewel, Wal-Mart and gas stations are being accepted in Room A210.