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Ron Pettigrew (center, bright yellow sneakers), running in Western Illinois University's Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/Walk, October 2014.
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Pettigrew (pictured here delivering the invocation at Western's 2nd Annual Fallen Soldiers 5k Run/Walk in 2014) is an academic adviser for the WIU School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach's Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS) program. He is also a U.S. Navy chaplain and recently returned from his deployment as part of the Marine Corps liaison team of Wounded Warrior Battalion East, during which he served again as a chaplain at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
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Pettigrew, left, and WIU Assistant Provost Ron Williams with the "Above & Beyond" Award. In 2011, based on Pettigrew's nomination, U.S. Department of Defense's National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized WIU for going above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty with their employees.
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Western's Military Friendly Ways: Alum, Employee Experiences at WIU Testament to Military Friendly School Status

November 10, 2014

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MACOMB, IL – When Ron Pettigrew came to Western Illinois University in 2005 as a graduate student in Western's college student personnel (CSP) program, he was well aware of the fact he may not be in Macomb for long. And, indeed, while studying in the CSP program, the U.S. Navy chaplain was called to serve.

"Right at the end of my first year in the program, following the battles in Fallujah in Iraq, I was notified I was being mobilized to serve as one of the chaplains for the first Navy Fleet Hospital to be assigned to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany," Pettigrew said. "I was there until close to the end of 2007, and then came back and finished my degree in May of 2009."

After completing his CSP master's degree, Pettigrew was hired as an academic adviser for the WIU School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach's Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS) program. Since he started working in that position in 2009, Pettigrew—who transferred into the reserves after two successive tours of duty and who has 25 years of military experience as a chaplain and a former line officer and has counseled military personnel, veterans and families all over the globe—was called back to serve two more significant times. During the time he was gone from Macomb, Pettigrew and his family were able to stay connected to the University, and to the Macomb community, thanks to Western's military friendly ways.

"Generally, as a military reservist, you get about five years between deployments. But because of my background and experience at Landstuhl, they wanted me to provide support for a specific mission almost immediately when I started my position at Western," Pettigrew explained. "Based on the casualties occurring with the surge in Afghanistan, I was in my academic adviser position probably less than a month when I got a call from the senior chaplain working for Marine Forces Reserves. He called me at work and requested on behalf of the chaplain and commandant of the Marine Corps to receive and provide support to the families of those who were killed in action at Dover Air Force Base."

According to Pettigrew, when he told his boss, Richard Carter, executive director of the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach, he didn't blink an eye.

"Dr. Carter was extraordinarily gracious. And after he learned of the nature and scope of my assignment, he told me, 'No problem, Ron. We will support you how ever we can.' He also told me that even if I needed to stay longer, that would be okay," he explained.

Pettigrew said he knew Western was a military friendly school from his mobilization as a graduate student in the CSP program. But accommodations made for him as an employee provided further evidence that Western has aptly been identified as a "Military Friendly" school by GI Jobs magazine and as a "Best for Vets College" by Military Times EDGE magazine.

"Part of what makes Western great is our policy toward veterans and soldiers. If an individual is deployed while he or she is a student here, he or she has the ability to withdraw from classes, obtain an extension or coursework, etc. There are unique and special things that we do," Pettigrew noted. "As an employee, too, I found that not only my boss and my department at Western supported me while I was deployed, but the members of the WIU and Macomb communities were also supportive of my family. For instance, Western staff and friends here took my family out to eat, assisted them in finding employment and fixed things around my house."

Pettigrew's wife, Valencia, is currently pursuing her master's degree and works as a research assistant in Western's recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA) program. Pettigrew's son, Joshua Jefferson, earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Western and is now pursuing his master's degree in political science at WIU, as well.

"My son was given an extension for some of his coursework to take care of the family when my daughters and wife came down with the flu while I was mobilized. My wife was given a leave of absence to visit me with my daughters overseas, too," Pettigrew noted. "A big part of what made Western work for me is that support. We are very grateful for all the support we have been afforded at Western and in Macomb over the last decade. The fact that my spouse, son and I have not only been able to go to school, but also obtain graduate assistantships and work here, has been a tremendous blessing and very humbling. We feel loved and deeply invested in the community."

In 2011, Pettigrew's nomination of WIU for the University's military friendly practices resulted in Western being honored with the Above and Beyond Award by the U.S. Department of Defense's National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR recognized the University for going above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty with their employees. The Above and Beyond Award is only given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR committees, and it is the state's second highest level award, with approximately only 15-20 employers in the state receiving this award each year.

"Western has established a national reputation for providing exceptional academic support and services to active military personnel and veterans. Providing support and resources to our veterans, active-duty students and their families is the right thing to do," Carter noted.

Ensuring the Best for Vets

Pettigrew returned from his last deployment—as part of the Marine Corps liaison team of Wounded Warrior Battalion East, during which he served again as a chaplain at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center—July 4. Since August, he has been serving WIU students back in his academic adviser position.

"Within my assignment as an academic adviser for the BGS program, I am the lead military adviser," noted Pettigrew, who also explained the benefits of the BGS program for students who are veterans or who are actively serving. "Our BGS degree program fully complies with the Service Opportunity Member College guidelines, which means that, in our degree program, all of their military experiences accredited by the American Council on Education are accepted. So when I work with students who are vets, I help them to make the most of their military experiences within their BGS degree programs."

Pettigrew also serves as a resource for Western's Veterans Resource Center, which provides streamlined services and resources in a centralized location on the WIU-Macomb campus to ensure all veterans, guard members, reservists and active-duty personnel receive individual assistance with any question or concern they may encounter.

"We depend on Ron to work closely with us to ensure the needs of student veterans are met," said Kathy Meyers, assistant director of the Veterans Resource Center. "Ron is always willing to go the extra mile to advocate for students."

Additionally, Pettigrew serves on the advisory board for Western's Center for the Study of Masculinities and Men's Development (CSMMD). In that role, and as a result of his military training, experiences and assignments, he regularly serves as a facilitator for Returning Warrior Workshops and marriage relationship retreats. He is also a certified trainer in Combat Operation Stress Control, Family Wellness and Critical Incident Stress Debriefings.

"The Center for the Study of Masculinities and Men's Development could not function effectively without Ron Pettigrew's leadership," noted Tracy Davis, CSMMD director and professor and college student personnel program coordinator. "Ron demands a lot from himself and others through role modeling quality leadership and unselfish service. Sometimes when we get a little tunnel-visioned in our work or meetings, and Ron challenges us to collaborate with other organizations and people in order to better serve our communities. His commitment to social justice is also as strong as anyone I've met, and his clear sense of values, genuine compassion for others and even stubborn resistance to injustice stands out as a powerful example of servant and transformative leadership. In all of my work over the past 20 years, I haven't interacted with someone more dedicated to serving others than Ron. He is a role model not only for students, but for professionals at all levels."

Jessica Mueller, assistant director for WIU Judicial Programs, said she first met Pettigrew when he was working on Western's First Year Experience program during his CSP graduate work.

"He was excited and energetic to provide training and support to this program," Mueller said. "During one training, he mentioned he was a Navy chaplain. I was newly engaged to a fellow student who was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and we wanted to have a Navy chaplain administer our vows, as well as provide marriage counseling. Ron graciously accepted the request, and so our relationship with him began."

Mueller said Pettigrew also served as a mentor for her in her own CSP program graduate studies and that he has continued to be a valued colleague.

"Ron is someone who I call on and look to for advice," Mueller added. "He is a visible advocate on campus and in the community in so many ways. I have worked directly and indirectly with Ron on topics of interpersonal violence, as well as on various other difficult topics. I know his influence and support of development issues for men and women is present in our community and is making a great impact in the lives of young people. Ron is truly an irreplaceable asset at WIU and in the community."

For more information about Western's BGS program, visit www.wiu.edu/distance_learning/bachelor_of_arts_in_general_studies/. For more information about veteran resources at WIU, see the WIU Veterans Resource Center website at www.wiu.edu/student_services/veterans/. For more information about activities during WIU's celebration of Military Appreciation Week, see www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=12050.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing