FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2017 1:00 p.m. CDT
Contact Jason Hogue, Peru State College Marketing and Communications, 402.872.2429
Dr. Dan Hanson, the President of Peru State College, received the Patriot Award this
January from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR. Dr. Hanson was nominated
by Keri Bensheimer, an Admissions Representative at Peru State College and a member
of the Nebraska National Guard.
Keri Bensheimer and ESGR's Bruce Wood present the Patriot Award to Dr. Dan Hanson.
The Patriot Award is given to supervisors who have been nominated by an employee who
is currently serving or who has served in the National Guard or Reserve, or who is
the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member.
The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made by a supervisor to support citizen warriors
by permitting flexible schedules, time off before and after deployment, and caring
for families of the National Guard or Reserve member.
ESGR's Bruce Wood presenting the Patriot Award to Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College
Bensheimer wrote in her application, “Peru State College is an institution based upon
education, and they practice what they preach. On several occasions, I have been given
opportunities to expand on my military education and, without a second thought, have
been encouraged to be gone for weeks at a time to attend schools.”
The ESGR is a Department of Defense program whose main goal is to encourage employers
to support National Guard and Reserve members. According to ESGR’s missions statement,
they promote supportive work environments “through outreach, recognition, and educational
opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws, and resolves employment
conflicts between the Service members and their employers.
Peru State Admissions staff with Wood and Hanson. Left to Right: Jari Dunekacke, Cindy Cammack, Keri Bensheimer, Bruce Wood, Ashleigh Eickhoff, Dan Hanson, Austin Wegener, Amanda Cole and Barb Jones.
Many volunteers support the ESGR because cooperation and support are available for
everyone involved and affected by members of the National Guard and Reserve and their
obligations as soldiers.
Peru State College has previously been recognized by ESGR with a Patriot Award and
has signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve. The College was also
named a 2017 Military Friendly College by Victory Media.
###