UIU and Peacock Football host Military Appreciation Day on October 18

FAYETTE, Iowa (October 10, 2014) – Upper Iowa University will host Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, October 18. The university will recognize active military men and women and pay tribute to veterans in attendance during the UIU Peacock football game vs. Winona State University at Harms-Eischeid Stadium. Guests who show military ID or a Department of Defense card will receive complimentary admission to the 6 p.m. game.

Upper Iowa University has been a proud supporter of military men and women since the American Civil War and continues to develop new ways to support the Total Military Family. Most recently, UIU created the Military Family Scholarship and Student Service Fund to provide assistance. Currently the University is establishing the Military and Veterans Service Center (MVSC) in Fayette, which will help military and veteran students with academic advising, tutoring, counseling, disability accommodations, veterans programming, benefits information, financial aid, medical assistance and referral to state and federal resources as needed. Services also are available online to reach all UIU military students.

“At UIU, we are taking another step to demonstrate our commitment to those men and women who have served,” said William R. Duffy II, UIU President. “We are creating a Military and Veterans Service Center to establish a ‘one-stop-shop’ to support members of the Total Military Family who are also members of our Peacock Family. Our university has many heroes and heroes who helped to not only shape UIU, but they also helped to shape our country. The Military and Veterans Service Center recognizes their sacrifices and their needs, and assists them to achieve both their educational and career goals by providing a quiet and relaxing space where they can study, hang out, meet with other students and find the help and support they need.”

As part of Military Appreciation Day on October 18, the 5-0 undefeated Peacock football team will wear custom-designed, military-themed jerseys during the game. Those jerseys are being auctioned as a fundraiser for the Military and Veterans Service Center. Fan can bid online until noon on October 20 at www.32auctions.com/uiufbmilitary. Jersey numbers 1-99 are available, with the exception of numbers 33 and 34, which are the two retired numbers in UIU’s history. The only way to obtain one of the military themed jerseys is through the online auction. Fans are encouraged to wear red, white and blue or military attire to the game.

In partnership with the Iowa Army National Guard, more than 100 soldiers will be participating on campus October 18 in campus tours, faculty and staff presentations, a special tailgate prior to kick-off, as well as receiving on-field recognition.

One key goal of the MVSC is to be the primary point-of-contact for high school students and military members seeking information about higher education opportunities at Upper Iowa University. Staff Sergeant Joseph P. Grissel Jr. has been working on campus since August 2014 to launch that effort.

“We have developed a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Upper Iowa,” said Grissel. “The Iowa National Guard has received a sincere welcome on campus; we look forward to more projects and programs with the university.

Grissel’s primary responsibilities remain focused on recruitment for Iowa Army National Guard. For more information about the partnership or to volunteer for the Guard, contact Grissel at 319-240-7006 or joseph.p.grissel.mil@mail.mil.

For more information on Military Appreciation Day on October 18, please contact the UIU alumni office at 563-425-5388 or alumni@uiu.edu.