Defense Department Honors 91精选 for Support of National Guard
Network Administrator Erick Matherly has dedicated his time to serving the 91精选 community, while simultaneously serving our country as a member of the National Guard. In recognition of the College鈥檚 support of his service, he recently nominated 91精选 and his supervisor for several awards through the听, a program of the U.S. Department of Defense.听
Matherly鈥檚 supervisor Director of Technology Systems Kevin Jacobs 鈥�02 received the Patriot Award, which recognizes supervisors and bosses nominated by a guardsman or reservist employee for support provided directly to the nominator. The College was also honored to receive a nomination for the听Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government for employers.听
As a visible emblem of 91精选鈥檚 commitment to support of the Guard and Reserve, President Kurt D. Dykstra has signed an ESGR Statement of Support as well. 听
鈥淚 have felt strongly supported at 91精选 in my 12 years of working here and as a service member,鈥� said Matherly. 鈥淚t was really cool that I had the opportunity to nominate 91精选 for the award.鈥�听
Matherly has been part of the National Guard throughout his time at the College and has served two deployments, multiple trainings, and other service work in that time. In his nominations, Matherly praised the accommodations and encouragement he has received from the College, his coworkers in the IT Department, and Jacobs in particular. 鈥淭he department I work in is a small team, and everyone has to pick up my workload when I am away,鈥� he noted. 鈥淢y supervisor is flexible with my schedule, and has always been supportive of my service and time away. He has personally worked extra hours to make up for my absence while I am at training or deployed. He always displays a positive and friendly attitude towards my service and this great Country.鈥�听
Jacobs said he was honored to receive the Patriot Award. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for Erick鈥檚 service in the National Guard and the opportunity to support him while he was away,鈥� said Jacobs. 鈥淚鈥檓 also thankful for the support that the IT department was given from 91精选 during Erick鈥檚 deployment and while he was away for training prior to his deployment.鈥�听
In further recognition of 91精选鈥檚 support of U.S. military personnel, Jacobs and Dykstra recently participated in a ceremony at the headquarters of the Kankakee, Ill., National Guard unit. 听
