PCC Inducts Student Vets Into National Honor Society

Pasadena City College is proud to have inducted 23 student veterans in its second year as a chartered member of SALUTE (Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute, Excellence) Veterans National Honor Society.

“We are the only college in Southern California to be a chartered member,” said Carol Calandra of the PCC Veterans’ Resource Center.

PCC’s chapter formed in 2011, when it inducted 22 new members. A student must be a veteran, must have a minimum of 12 units, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to become a member.

“Membership in SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society is a way of recognizing and documenting hard work and dedication,” said SALUTE Coordinator Jenny Pickett.

Veterans face unique challenges in pursuing education, according to Calandra.

“This helps to continue to build and maintain a camaraderie, while making sure they get recognized,” she said. “They’re just amazing people.”

Marshall Lewis, who was inducted this past semester, agrees.

“I think it builds a certain unit cohesion, being part of a society of people who put an emphasis on their hard work and dedication,” Lewis said. “You’re able to commiserate with people just like yourself.”

SALUTE is not only concerned with veteran issues. Members also become involved campus issues, leadership needs, and activism. SALUTE highlights the hard work and dedication of student-veterans in all aspects.

“What I like about it is that it encourages perseverance in all endeavors as a student, as well as a person,” Lewis said.

For more information about the PCC Veteran program, call (626) 585-7226.