University president supports the National Guard and Reserve

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Terry McCollom, military outreach director for ESGR, and John Johnson, president of Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, discuss the support statement Johnson signed on behalf of the university.

Updated: March 24, 2012 8:06AM

John Johnson, president of Concordia University Chicago, in River Forest, signed a Statement of Support of those serving in National Guard and Reserve components. The signing was held recently at the Office of the University President.

“I want to thank Dr. Johnson for signing this Statement of Support on behalf of Concordia University Chicago,” said Terry McCollom, who is IL Employer Support for Guard and Reserve military outreach director.

“Signing a Statement of Support is what I call a statement of the obvious. It is simply a public recognition of the law and a public expression of the support for the men and women serving in the National Guard and Reserve here in Illinois,” McCollom added.

“We are honored to partner in this important military outreach initiative that will benefit the men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserve” said Johnson.

According to Michael Ayers, IL ESGR State Chair, “The National Guard and Reserve make up nearly half of the entire military force of the United States. Because of this, the men and women of the Guard and Reserve play a key role in our national defense here at home and around the world. The men and women of the National Guard and Reserve cannot successfully accomplish their mission without the continued support of employers who recognize the importance of the Reserve Components in the defense of our nation.”

The ESGR Statement of Support program offers a way for employers to show their support for service in the National Guard and Reserve. With the signing Concordia University Chicago pledges that:

They fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

Their managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

They appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.

They will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crisis and in war.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency and is the lead advocate within the Department of Defense for Reserve Component employers. Thousands of ESGR volunteers nationwide provide free education, consultation and, if needed, neutral mediation for employers of Guardsmen and Reservists. More information about ESGR employer outreach programs and services is available at HYPERLINK “http://www.esgr.mil” http://www.esgr.mil.