CARTERVILLE - Veterans and military adviser Bob Fester of John A. Logan College didn't waste any time Wednesday doing what he does best - helping ease veterans into the rigmarole of academic life.

Moments after dignitaries, area lawmakers and JALC officials conducted a ribbon-cutting for the new campus Veterans Service Center located in the former student transfer office in a wing of college administrative offices, Fester was already helping a young military man enroll in college for the first time.

"He's got me all squared away," said Army Spc. Sam Knight of West Frankfort about his short meeting with Fester while guests and officials were visiting in an adjoining office.

The new center includes a staff of three people who are working in a much larger, comfortable space near the admissions and financial aid offices. The idea is to make veterans feel more comfortable with their transition to college and offer better organization and advisement, said JALC President Robert Mees.

"This is a special day. We'll remember it for a long time," Mees said at the conclusion of an official announcement preceding the center's ribbon-cutting.

Efforts JALC are undertaking to assist veterans returning from conflicts or ending their duty is something that hasn't gone unnoticed around the state.

"I would give JALC a gold medal," said Earl High, a veterans' service officer from Salem, about JALC's recent accomplishments to assist veterans. "We're seeing more and more veterans returning from operations overseas. That thrills me. I'm a proponent of education."

State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, echoed history during his remarks as he briefly traced the military career of John A. Logan during the Mexican-American War as a young second lieutenant marching with Southern Illinois comrades to battle.

"John A. Logan College is taking the forefront just like our namesake," Bradley said.

JALC is not done assisting veterans with a new center. Board members are currently looking at the campus as a site for one of four living centers in Illinois that will house veterans returning to school and their families.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com

618-351-5076