Student from Farmer among organizers of CSC Veterans Conference

CHADRON, NE (11/24/2009)(readMedia)-- Kristian Deppe, a native of Farmer, S.D., and 10 other Chadron State College seniors organized and conducted the Veterans Awareness Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

More than 170 people attended the event in the Student Center, which was organized and conducted by the CSC social work program's upper level "Communities and Organizations" class. Gov. Dave Heineman headlined the list of more than 20 presenters at the conference, which addressed a number of issues germane to veterans' wellness.

Heineman applauded the CSC students' efforts in organizing and conducting the conference.

"I suspect you're finding out just how hard it is, and the challenges of putting on a conference especially a successful one," he said. "This is a great crowd and you should be very proud of yourselves for what you've done."

The class of 11 students is taught by CSC social work faculty member, Bruce Hoem.

The other keynote speaker of the conference was Peter Henry, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Black Hills Health Care System. Breakout session topics included post-traumatic stress disorder, veterans' benefits, family support, female veterans' issues, education benefits and substance abuse.

The conference's opening ceremony featured the singing of the National Anthem, presentation of colors by active military and American Indian veterans, and the unfolding of one of three U.S. flags that flew over the World Trade Center buildings on 9/11.

Deppe graduated from Hanson High School in 2005.

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