IHCC pays tribute to veterans at commencement

OTTUMWA ? When Indian Hills Community College holds its spring commencement ceremonies this month, the college will pay special tribute to the military veterans who will be graduating on both the Ottumwa and Centerville campuses.

All veterans graduating will be recognized by wearing a specially-designed blue honor stole in appreciation for their military service.

According to Teresa McNitt, U.S. Navy veteran and IHCC veterans coordinator, there are currently more than 150 veterans enrolled at Indian Hills and an additional 50 veterans? dependents enrolled.

?We wanted to do a little extra to honor our graduating veterans who are so important to us all,? said McNitt. ?Our veterans who are graduating are examples to future classes of veterans, showing them that they can succeed and overcome the challenges in their lives. We truly appreciate their service to our country.?

McNitt says Indian Hills has expanded its support for military veterans and has made a concerted effort to provide one-on-one support for them in the areas of admissions, benefits assistance, academic planning and career counseling.

Commencement on the IHCC Centerville campus will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Multipurpose Building with Kathy Lange from the Chariton Valley Medical Center in Centerville as the guest speaker.

The 7 p.m. Thursday graduation ceremony will be at the Hellyer Student Life Center on the Ottumwa campus. The guest speaker will be M.J. Dolan, the executive director of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees.

The public is invited to attend both ceremonies.