Due to the increasing spread of the COVID-19 and expected increased State of Illinois restrictions, the November 17 dinner meeting of the Aurora Council of the Navy League is canceled.
The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its in-person monthly dinner meeting Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the basement of the Old Aurora Library, 1 East Benton Street, Aurora, IL. in a large room. Social distancing will be practiced for seating. A choice of box dinners and non-alcoholic drink will be available and ordered from a local vendor so that appropriate COVID-19 precautions will be observed. Attendees should bring masks and those with abnormal body temperatures will not be allowed to participate.
A reception will begin at 5:15 p.m. followed by a meeting at 5:45 p.m. with dinner afterward. The cost is $20 all-inclusive if a dinner box is ordered. The meeting will conclude by 8 p.m.. Dinner boxes must be pre-ordered from wcginc@aol.com, Leonard Wass, a Board member. The three choices are chicken flautas, three tacos, or a combination meal of taco, tostada, burrito. Bottled water will be included. Beer and wine may be purchased from the American Legion in the meeting room.
The after-dinner speaker will be Dr. Terrell Odom whose topic is Supporting Military-Affiliated Students in Higher Education.
Those attending do not need to be a member of the Navy League, or have a reservation, to attend. The general public is welcome. The Navy League is a civilian organization started by president Teddy Roosevelt to provide civilian support for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and Sea Cadets.
Service members and their families who are making a transition out of the military, and more of them are choosing to enter higher education, will be the topic of discussion. Institutions of higher learning must implement meaningful and holistic programming to ensure military-affiliated students are effectively moving into, through, and out of higher education.
Dr. Odom, a U.S. Navy veteran, is responsible for developing and coordinating efforts and specialized programs for the University of Chicago’s military-affiliated communities, including undergraduate, graduate and professional students, faculty, staff members, and all of their respective families. He works closely with campus partners on applicable University policies and procedures, throughout all divisions at the University of Chicago.
For the past four years, Terrell served as the Veterans Services Director at Kennedy-King College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, where he provided support to more than 400 student veterans and oversaw the Veteran Services Center’s daily operations. He served honorably as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy for six years’ active duty and an additional two years in the Navy Reserves. He was awarded the United States Navy Sailor of the Quarter, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Combat Readiness Medal, and a Field Services Fleet Marine Force Medal.
Terrell received his bachelor’s degree from DeVry University, an MBA from American Military University, an MPA from the Keller Graduate School of Management, and a master’s of online teaching and certification for online learning administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield and, a doctorate degree in educational leadership and administration from Chicago State University. He is awaiting conferral for a Masters of Instructional Design and Technology from Western Illinois University.
Terrell has worked in higher education for more than 15 years, as an administrator, student services professional and faculty member, at trade and technical schools and, two and four-year universities, at public and private institutions. During his career, Terrell has constructed policies that incorporated military experience into institutional credit and stackable credentials, created college-level courses specific to transitioning service members, fostered environments that were engaging and conducive for the student veteran, served as an American Legion ambassador, and published research on awareness, access, and supporting military-affiliated students.
Terrell is the Founder of Veterans Serving Our Communities (VSOC), a nonprofit that utilizes the higher-level experiences of professional and student veterans to mentor at-risk youth in Chicago. Terrell is married to Phenesha with two lovely daughters, Imani and Terriana, aged 20 and 18, and they have four German Shepherd dogs (Thunder, Lightning, Storm and Rain).
The Aurora Council is having a membership drive, and will pay half of the first year’s dues for new members. This is an excellent opportunity to attend an interesting event, and determine whether you would like to join permanently.
— Aurora Navy League Council 247