Wall of Honor pays tribute to everyday and ultimate sacrifices

Andrea Vasquez-- August 14, 2012

PASADENA, Texas — The San Jacinto College Foundation has added a Wall of Honor in each of the campuses’ new Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success.

Funded by a $400,000 grant received in 2010 from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as private donors and generous donations of materials and labor totaling more than $375,000, the Centers provide veterans easy access to enrollment, financial aid, Veteran Affairs (VA) information, educational planning, and counseling needs. Each Center will also display a Wall of Honor, serving as a reminder of the gratitude and appreciation of veteran service.

“Coming from a family with a rich military tradition, these Walls of Honor at each campus will serve as a tribute to the men and women who selflessly serve this country, both past and present,” said San Jacinto College Foundation Executive Director for Advancement, Ruth Keenan. “It's been a personal honor for me to have contributed to this project. The Walls of Honor will also serve as a reminder of the generosity of the vendors who donated their time and services to create the new veteran centers and Walls of Honor that will pay tribute to veterans and ensure their success as they continue their educational journey at San Jacinto College.”

Contributing to this project wasn’t even a question for Gary Sharpe, co-owner of Allstate Commercial Flooring. “At Allstate Commercial Flooring, we have family members and friends who have served in the military,” said Sharpe. “As Christians we realize that our freedoms, particularly our freedom of religion, have been preserved by the great sacrifice that our military men and women have made for this country. Providing and installing the granite for the San Jacinto College Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success can only be seen as a small token of our appreciation for their efforts. We applaud San Jacinto College for this initiative to assist our service men and women as they seek to improve their education.”

Jim Hodges, architectural representative for Daltile, was also more than honored that the company could join in this endeavor. “To be able to participate in such a worthy cause was an opportunity for us to thank both San Jacinto College for their continued contribution to the Houston area by providing our veterans a place to obtain the services they need, and to our United States military veterans for their devotion to our country through their service,” said Hodges. “It was a very small thanks for two very large causes. Anyone should jump at the chance to be involved in this cause. Daltile will continue to support San Jacinto College in every way possible.”

Student veteran Elizabeth Schoelwer appreciates the recognition of the sacrifices military men and women make, no matter what the scale. “I think it is a great opportunity to honor veterans who have fallen in the line of duty or even to recognize those who have served,” said the former Army sergeant. “Being in the military requires a lot of sacrifice. You miss birthdays, graduations, weddings, and funerals. You miss all those big life events that everyone takes for granted. I think it’s wonderful that San Jacinto College has created an environment where those little everyday sacrifices can be honored. I know that every veteran that walks through those doors will instantly see that this is a great place to start the next chapter in their life.” Schoelwer is currently a general studies major at the Central Campus.  

Those interested in honoring their service member can purchase a nameplate for $250 through the San Jacinto College Foundation. The nameplate will include engraving of the service member’s name, rank, and branch of service. Along with the nameplate information, the Foundation asks for a copy of a photo and the veteran’s story, which will be archived at each of the campus veteran centers. All proceeds will go to the San Jacinto College Veteran Student Success Fund.

For more information about the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success and purchasing a Wall of Honor nameplate, visit www.sanjacfoundation.org or call 281-998-6104.

About the San Jacinto College Foundation

The San Jacinto College Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to enhancing the level of student achievement and excellence at San Jacinto College. Its purpose is to receive gifts, bequests, and donations, and to raise private funds to benefit the people of East Harris County, Texas. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.sanjacfoundation.org, or call 281-998-6104.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.