Clark State adds program to recognizes veterans, military students

Clark State Community College has inducted seven students, six U.S. military veterans and one active duty member, into a newly chartered national program.

SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society is the only such national program recognizing the service and scholastic achievements of student veterans and is in its first year with the school.

Army veterans Denise S. Bloomfield, Sherri Marsh and Jerron Thompson; Air Force veterans Michael Allen Berger and Scott M. Kustowski; Navy veteran Brian Miller; and Air Force active duty member Hector D. Santiago Rosado were honored in a ceremony last week attended by Clark State President Jo Alice Blondin and Amit Singh, provost and vice president of academic affairs, as well by students, staff and faculty at the school’s main campus.

The program is for veterans, reservists and active duty, retired and disabled military members who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.

SALUTE stands for Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute and Excellence. Established in 2008, there are 218 chapters nationally and Clark State now has the third in Ohio.

Dana Kapp, Clark State’s veterans services specialist, said the community college has a diverse population of military members and has previously tried to establish a student veterans’ organization. SALUTE is a welcome addition.

“We always endeavor to serve our military members the way they’ve served our country,” said Kapp, a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer.

Kapp added that three of those honored will graduate from Clark State on Saturday, May 6.

She anticipates further SALUTE ceremonies annually in the spring and would like to expand it to twice a year.

“We’re excited to have this and hope to make it a viable and continuing way to serve veterans,” Kapp said.

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