North Central News

In Gratitude: Recognizing North Central's vets during Military Appreciation Month

Kim MacGregor

May 16, 2023

May is National Military Appreciation Month — dedicated to honoring all military troops, past and present. There are military veterans among North Central faculty and staff. In addition, several staff and faculty also have loved ones who have served. We are grateful to all. 

This spring, a variety of gatherings brought together members of the Cardinal community who serve, have served, or plan to serve in the future.  

Stacy Jo HuserOn April 28, Air Force Brigadier General Stacy Jo Huser '94 was on campus for the first time since graduating from North Central with a bachelor of science in psychology. Brig. Gen. Huser is the principal assistant deputy administrator for military application at the National Nuclear Security Administration. During her visit, she reconnected with two of her former professors: Dr. Karl Kelley and Dr. Mary Jean Lynch. 

Later that evening, Brig. Gen. Huser was the guest speaker at a Joint Military Ball in Chicago, hosted by Air Force ROTC Detachment 195 and two local Army ROTCs battalions. North Central is a crosstown college with Detachment 195. North Central U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadet Nicholas Franchi '23 also attended and made remarks at the ball. At North Central Commencement on May 7, the Plainfield native earned a bachelor in business administration in human resource management, magna cum laude. The day before, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Nick will be a contracting officer at the Royal Air Force in Lakenheath, England. The North Central Class of 2023 also included a military spouse and three student veterans. 

Two other events took place in downtown Naperville: 

  • March 29 - On Vietnam  War Veterans Day, a ceremony at Veterans Park in Naperville marked 50 years since the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. Four North Central College student veterans attended along with other members of the Cardinal community.
A group of North Central Collegev veterans gather in Veterans Park in Naperville.
  • April 25 - North Central hosted its annual Hail & Farewell Banquet for all military-affiliated students at the Naperville VFW. Five North Central student-veterans were inducted into the SALUTE National Veterans Honor Society. Mitch Moore '24, student veterans alliance president, served as emcee. Speakers included Pablo Araya '83, a Navy veteran, and Matt Burden, North Central vice president of information and technology, CIO. An Army veteran, Matt actively serves as the official mentor to our student-veterans. North Central Trustee Steve Rubin, a Marine Corps veteran, also attended. 
North Central College veterans gather for the Hail and Farewell banquet.

 

We recognize our student, alumni, and faculty/staff veterans for their service and for the many assets they bring to our campus — including global perspective, self-discipline, maturity, critical thinking, goal-focused approach, teamwork, leadership skills and experience. Likewise, we are inspired by the commitment of our ROTC cadets in training to become military officers. Thank you! 

North Central proudly participates in the Post 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon veteran benefit programs. Visit northcentralcollege.edu/veterans to learn more about our outstanding services for our student veterans.