The Council of College and Military Educators has recognized Bill Yaeger, military outreach specialist-Midwest region for the Office of Veteran and Military Education, with the President's Award, presented to him earlier this month at the CCME conference, for making “a significant contribution that advanced the cause of military education.”

"I am overwhelmed and honored to be recognized by Mike Heberling, Council of College and Military Educators president, for this award. I have certainly enjoyed the challenges as treasurer of CCME the last few years and hope that I have contributed to the success of our annual symposiums," Yaeger said.

"The CCME President's award is a tribute to Bill's unending dedication to military education and to the invaluable expertise he brings to OVME.  Bill's commitment to our service members, veterans and their families is exemplary, whether it is through his work with Empire State College or his service on the executive board of the Council of College and Military Educators," said OVME Director Linda Frank, a past president of CCME.

Yaeger has been with the college since 2006. A native of Elmhurst, Ill., he graduated from Proviso East High School and attended Loyola University in Chicago for one year, before enlisting in the Air Force in 1983 as a law enforcement specialist/military working dog handler. He received his B.S. in law enforcement from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1993. After 12.5 years of enlisted service in security and training positions, he was commissioned through Officer Training School as a distinguished graduate and continued in the security forces career field. In 2000, Yaeger completed his M.Ed. with an emphasis in adult and higher education from the University of Oklahoma. Before retiring from the Air Force after 23 years of service in 2006, he held assignments at the squadron, group and major command levels, including a three-year career-broadening tour as an Air Force ROTC assistant professor of aerospace studies/commandant of cadets at Michigan State University. He is also a seasonal office manager, instructor and tax advisor with H&R Block.

Currently located in Colorado Springs, CO, his primary responsibilities include being an out-of-state representative for the college’s Office of Veteran and Military Education, supporting students in Virginia, Montana and Colorado. He also attends education fairs, base visits and conferences from coast-to-coast.

In February 2011, he was appointed treasurer for the Council of College and Military Educators.

Students Receive Scholarships

Two Empire State College students received veteran scholarships from CCME, which were accepted on their behalf by Frank.

The students were:

• Laura E. Benton, Navy, Air Force, Air National Guard, 9.5 years of service, now pursuing a B.S. in community and human services.
• William Singleton, Marine Corps, 18 years of service, who graduated in January with a B.S. in community and human services, with a concentration in criminal justice services.