Student veterans celebrated during SALUTE Induction Ceremony
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Fifteen student veterans were celebrated in Governors State University’s (GovState) annual SALUTE Induction Ceremony, many of which are graduating this year.
“We recognize that the journey from service to civilian and student life wasn’t always easy, but they were driven and committed, and should be proud of their accomplishments in completing their degree,” said Angelica Damiani, Program Director of the Veterans Resource Center (VRC).
During the ceremony, all inductees took an oath to uphold the ideals and further the aims of SALUTE, the first national honors society that recognizes student veterans and active military in two-year and four-year higher education institutions.
All students inducted into the honor society exemplify its core values that make up the acronym SALUTE: service, academics, leadership, unity, tribute, and excellence.
Another key moment of the ceremony involved the distribution of honor stoles to students graduating this year, with 13 of the 15 inductees set to walk the Commencement stage this month.
One of the graduates, Jacob Walsh, was recognized with a shout out during the ceremony for his Student Leadership Award, which he received earlier the same day at the Student Leadership Awards ceremony, held by the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs, for his role as president of the Student Veterans Association. Jacob also worked for the VRC while he was a student.
“Our office and university are incredibly proud to have served them (student veterans) in any way throughout their time at Governors State,” said Damiani.