CLC unveils new veterans lounge, in talks to expand space

The College of Lake County converted a free room into a new lounge for student veterans last week at the Grayslake campus, and officials are in talks to expand the space soon.

Joe Bochantin, the CLC veterans student services coordinator, called the new veterans lounge - which features a conference table, whiteboard and large flat-screen monitor - a work in progress.

"In the coming months, we will be seeking input from our student veterans to determine what kinds of furniture, art and other features they would like to have in their lounge," Bochantin said. "My hope is that it will be a place where veterans, service members and their families will come together to relax, support each other and live out the motto 'Veterans Helping Veterans.'"

Bochantin said the lounge will also be a place where veterans can access information about the school and community resources available to them.

CLC board Secretary Richard Anderson said the college has long placed an importance on serving veterans. The school has staff members trained in helping veteran students access their military aid and benefits.

"CLC, ever since the Vietnam era, has always treated returning vets with the highest regard," said Anderson, a CLC board member since 1974 and a past veteran CLC student himself. "We've been recognized by veteran organizations for being a veteran-friendly college and we take a lot of pride in that."

In January, the college was named, for the 10th consecutive year, a Military Friendly Gold School by Victory Media, a Pittsburgh-based publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.

In November, the college unveiled a new 14-foot sculpture in the veterans plaza on the Grayslake campus. The sculpture depicts a dove and stars to celebrate peacemaking efforts.

Anderson said that there are discussions about adding a new veterans monument to coincide with expanding the veterans lounge.