NIU Today

Several events are planned at NIU around Veterans Day. “Journey of a Hero: Supporting the Sacrifice” begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, in the Regency Room of the Holmes Student Center. All are invited. As NIU Military Student Services works to illustrate to supporters and participants how everyone can better support veterans, this educational...

Jarvis Purnell, director of Off-Campus & Non-Traditional Student Services since the spring of 2012, has been named director of Military Student Services. Purnell will oversee both departments, as he has done since last fall, when he became the acting director of Military Student Services. Over the course of the current academic year, Purnell will have an...

NIU has earned more accolades for the services it provides to military veterans, this time coming from U.S. Veterans Magazine. Published by DiversityComm, the magazine this month released the results of its 2013 evaluation of the nation’s Top Veteran-Friendly Schools in addition to lists of Top Veteran-Friendly Companies, Top Supplier Diversity Programs, Top Government and Law...

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) visited Northern Illinois University Wednesday with the aim of learning how the school has made serving veterans a priority through a range of academic, health and financial services. “A college diploma is a fundamental part of the American Dream, and no one deserves to see that dream fulfilled more than...

Military Student Services will offer a workshop for faculty and staff this month on “Military Student Supporter Development.” The workshop takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center. During this workshop, participants can learn how to be a stronger supporter of veteran students....

Military Student Services invites the public to “Save A Vet: The Other Forgotten Soldier.” The event will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center. Lindenhurst, Ill.-based Save-A-Vet  helps rescue military service dogs from being put down after they have returned from the front...

NIU’s reputation as a great college choice for military veterans continues to climb. Military Times ranks NIU at No. 28 in its 2013 Best for Vets: Colleges survey. The survey demonstrates widespread efforts by colleges and universities to accommodate veterans and active-duty service members. It is the second external recognition this fall of NIU’s support...

Military service is in Scott Johnsen’s blood. His father served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. Both of his grandfathers served. One of his grandmothers served in the WAVES – Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service – for the U.S. Navy during World War II. His younger brother also joined the Navy....

Northern Illinois University has been named to Victory Media’s coveted Military Friendly Schools® list. The 2013 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. “It is...

Military Student Services and the Disability Resource Center anticipate an increased number of service animals on campus this fall in relation to students with invisible disabilities. People experience multiple invisible disabilities, one being traumatic stress; the International Association of Traumatic Stress reports that approximately 60 percent of Americans will experience a traumatic event at some...

Every day provides a new opportunity to make a decision that will have a positive influence in the life of a student. It’s a philosophy that motivates Melanie Tucker Thompson, recently appointed as acting assistant vice president for Student Services. “The departments that I am leading reach the lives of thousands of students, starting from...

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) today honored Steven Kreitzer, a May graduate of NIU and veteran of the U.S. Army, at its June 2012 “Veteran of the Month.” “Steven Kreitzer is an exceptional veteran who continues to devote his time, energy and creativity to serving fellow veterans and their families,” said IDVA Director...