CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: plece@wou.edu
Phone: 88819
Location: BELL 114

Statement: The Communication Studies department offers a 1 credit two-day workshop on communicating effectively with veterans (COM 399: VeteranSpeak Workshop) taught by Maj. Paul Evans (Air Force, Oregon Air National Guard). If you know people who would benefit from a richer understanding of the culture and communication of contemporary veterans, please let them know of this course offering.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: schecks@wou.edu
Phone: 88277
Location: NS 221

Statement: My father and all my (many) uncles and a fair number of cousins served in the military. But my most valuable experience with veterans was when I was a sophomore in college -- contemplating dropping out of school. It was a handful of Vietnam veterans who pulled me into their group, mentored me and kept me going. I'll forever be indebted to them.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: castellanosa@wou.edu
Phone: 88682
Location: WC 140J

Statement: I'm a Bilingual Financial Aid Counselor in the Financial Aid Office. I currently apply Veterans Benefits like the Dependent Tuition Waiver and Yellow Ribbon awards to financial aid packages. To the many veterans and military members at our institution, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I'm happy to help any way I can.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: olsena@wou.edu
Phone: 88471
Location: RWEC 124

Statement: I have never served in the military myself but my spouse is an Iraq War Veteran and I have the experience of supporting a soldier throughout the entire process of training, deployment and reentry. My husband was deployed for 21 months as an infantryman in the Oregon National Guard. While in country he fought with Special Forces in the Battle of Fallujah and Najaf and received The Purple Heart when his patrol hit an IED and came under heavy fire outside of Baghdad. His platoon was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation Award because of heroism during the Battle of Fallujah. I am a strong advocate for Veterans and their families and passionately believe in supporting this important community as much as possible. I am a former elementary school teacher and am currently an instructor in the education program and my husband and I are both graduates of WOU.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: elizaldej@wou.edu
Phone:
Location:

Statement: Hello! I’m a WOU Alumni who currently serves as a Maritime Enforcement Specialist Third Class in the USCG Reserve. I work in the College of Education as the Bilingual Teacher Pathways Navigator. I help connect students to resources as well as licensure programs that work with them. Feel free to contact me or come to my office if you have any questions (or if you'd just like to meet a Coastie, we exist I promise). I may not know all the answers but we can learn together.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: singsonb@wou.edu
Phone: 89274
Location: NS 113

Statement: I am the Lab Preparator for the Earth and Physical Science dept. I served as a mechanic in the USAF for 7 years and was stationed in Virginia, Korea, Germany and Utah with a little Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan for good measure. I am a WOU Graduate and am now WOU staff. I would be glad to provide any help I can to any of my fellow vets.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: hughesh@wou.edu
Phone: 89494
Location: BELL 316

Statement: My father is a combat veteran of the Korean War, and many of my family members and friends have been in the military. Although I've never served in the armed forces, I often teach literature that deals with war, and I rely on veterans to help me better understand, to whatever degree possible, some of those experiences. As a civilian, I feel a great debt and responsibility to those men and women who have served this country. It's a privilege and an honor to be a part of Veterans Connections at Western Oregon.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: hallcm@wou.edu
Phone: 88731
Location: RWEC 150

Statement: I have not served in the military but have worked closely with many servicemembers from WWII, Korean, Vietnam, and Iraq I. I started a veteran's constituency group for a US presidential candidate who served in Vietnam and led veterans outreach in many states for that campaign. I've spent a lot of time listening to veterans in VFW Halls and American Legion posts. I also helped start a national Veterans PAC to ensure the voices of servicemembers were being heard and counted and had influence. I'd welcome any opportunity to talk with students. I can be reached best via email or phone at 503-888-7172. I work in the ED Bldg.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: erckenbl@wou.edu
Phone: 88032
Location: AC 129

Statement: My father was an Army medic. My uncle was a fighter pilot, flying Sky-hawk jets on the USS Coral Sea. 18 years after he was shot down over the Vietnamese jungle, his remains were finally returned to my family. My husband also served in Vietnam for the Air Force. I am an Educational Adviser in the Student Enrichment Program and would be delighted to assist our student veterans in any way I can. Thank you for your service.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: nealt@wou.edu
Phone: 88043
Location: PP 117

Statement: I was a Captain in the US Air Force. I served in Civil Engineering Squadrons, England(RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridege), Indiana (Grissom AFB), Alaska (Tatalina AFS)