E&H signs support for National Guard Reserve

The Virginia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, announced Emory & Henry College signed a statement of support for National Guard and Reserve members on April 17 in the Board of Visitors Lounge in Van Dyke Hall on the Emory & Henry campus.

The statement confirms that Emory & Henry will join other employers in pledging to fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). 

The College will also provide managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. 

“We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire guardsmen, reservists and veterans,” said Emory & Henry President John W. Wells. 

Wells also voiced the College’s support for Service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s guard and reserve units,” said Dr. John Lentz, Southwest Virginia ESGR Committee Chair.  “We are asking all Virginia employers to review their current human resources policies to incorporate guidelines supportive of Guard and Reserve employees. Many employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages and extension of health care benefits which complement coverage provided by the military when their employees mobilize.”

Wells added, “By meeting the statement of support criteria, we pledge to stand proudly with our guard and reserve faculty and staff members and students who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life. Their sacrifices are essential to the strength of the nation.”

Along with Wells, Ronald E Bogle, the National Chair of ESGR, and The Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III, the Secretary of Defense, also signed the Statement of Support.

As part of the statement of support signing ceremony Chairman Lentz, presented E&H staff and faculty members with the Patriot Award acknowledging their extraordinary support of E&H students who are members of the National Guard or Reserves.  Those receiving awards included Wells, Ms. Tracy Peery (Director of Human Resources), Dr. Ben Letson (Associate Professor of Philosophy), Dr. D.C. Cobler (Associate Professor and Chair of the Exercise Science Department), and the Rev. David Jackson (Visiting Assistant Professor of Religious Studies).

Lt. Col. Jared Powell, ETSU Professor of Military Science, recognized outstanding Army ROTC cadets to include the presentation of the AMVETS Award to Cadet Thomas Peery, the Sons of the American Revolution Award to Cadet Antonio Washington, the Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America Award to Cadet Samuel Dean, and the Volunteer Award to Cadet Connor Lester-Williams.