Mount Olive College supports military
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on March 5, 2007 1:50 PM
Mount Olive College is demonstrating its support for employees serving in the military and will adopt policies and programs to that end.
Dr. J. William Byrd, college president, has signed the "5-Star Statement of Support" for the National Guard and Reserve, which translates to the college reviewing its human resources policies, promoting training to effectively manage employees serving in the military.
Dr. Ted Janicki, an assistant professor at the college and a member of the Air Force Reserve, was called to active duty in Afghanistan in May. The college supported his service in several ways, officials said. Prior to deployment, Janicki met his teaching obligations, while the college in turn continued his salary and benefits at full pay when he was away. Staff and students also regularly sent care packages and upon his mid-tour return, sponsored a lecture featuring his message on the "War on Terror."
In preparation to go overseas, Janicki met five men in his unit who each needed one course to graduate from the Community College of the Air Force. Janicki's credentials allowed him to teach the course in Afghanistan. The college shipped books to the students and registered them through Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
By signing the "5-Star" statement, Mount Olive College has joined a number of companies, state and federal agencies and thousands of employers in demonstrating support for the armed forces, said Bud Brown, chairman of the state Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee.