Dorene and Jerry Hammes, whose $13,000 donation will fund a book club for student veterans. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Hammes)

$13,000 gift from Jerry and Dorene Hammes for Veterans Book Club

IU South Bend and Franklin D. Schurz Library receive 5-year gift to assist student veterans
 

By Julie Elliott 

Dean of Library Services Vicki Bloom is pleased to announce Jerry and Dorene Hammes's generous donation of $13,000 over five years to fund a book club for student veterans. IU South Bend's program aims to better integrate veteran students into university life as well as enlighten the faculty, administrators, staff and other students about the challenges and strengths that these students bring to campus. 

 

"Jerry and Dorene Hammes' wonderful gift ensures that this unique book club will be realized," said Dean Bloom. "The readings will be used to springboard discussion, exchange ideas and create community."

 

Jerry and Dorene Hammes were recipients of the IU Partners in Philanthropy, Cornerstone Award in 2010, which "recognizes those individuals whose partnership and volunteer involvement has been instrumental in the success of a single Indiana University philanthropic initiative for a campus, program, or school." In 2007, their generous lead gift led to the creation of the popular Hammes Information Commons in the library, and in 2009, their donation led to the Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons and Cafe

 

 

"We are so appreciative of the Hammes's continuing support of library initiatives. They have made a huge difference in so many students' lives here at IU South Bend," said Dean Bloom.

 

After hearing a moving presentation by a member of Student Veterans Organization (SVO) at the Chancellor's Academic Cabinet last spring, Dean Bloom tried to find ways that the Library could make our student veterans feel more welcome on campus." She learned about a state-wide library grant opportunity to fund veterans book clubs and consequently submitted a proposal.  Unfortunately, the money dried up quickly.  Luckily Jerry and Dorene Hammes loved the book club idea. 

 

"Along with student veterans,"  Dean Bloom notes, "faculty, staff and fellow students will be encouraged to read, participate in discussions, and suggest changes to make the university more veteran friendly."  

 

"The book club will be open to veterans in the area community and their families," says Dean Bloom. She adds that "the inclusion of people and public figures from the larger veteran community will bring mentors, models and additional resources to the group."   

 

The theme for the 2015-2016 school year will be "reintegration." Readings will include: 

 

  • Fire and Forget:  Short Stories from the Long War 
  • Preparing Your Campus for Veterans' Success:  An Integrated Approach to Facilitating the Transition and Persistence of Our Military Students
  • Thank You for Your Service
     

As the program moves forward, the book club will seek veteran input on texts and themes. Dean Bloom hopes that future programs will also include a writing component, where short stories and non-fiction narratives written by veterans and their families can be presented. 

 

For more information about the Veterans Book Club, please contact Dean Vicki Bloom at 574-520-4448 or vdbloom@iusb.edu.

 

 


Books and Media About the Veteran Experience

Books and Streaming media available at the Schurz Library 

 

Call numbers are in parentheses. Links to streaming media require a login off-campus
 

 


Giving to the Library
Donations help with collections, student scholarships, digitization, and more     

Please consider a gift to the Franklin D. Schurz Library. 


The faculty and staff of the Franklin D. Schurz Library take great pride in the resources and services we offer to meet our mission. We can only maintain this high quality through the additional support from individuals and organizations like you. Please visit https://www.iusb.edu/library/about/donation.php to learn more about how to donate to the library. 

  

Interested in collections? Select the Franklin D. Schurz Library Fund (0320003739), Schurz Library Endowment (0370007892), and/or Wiekamp Educational Resource Commons Fund (0320003890).  


 

Interested in scholarships? Select the Endowed Russo Library Worker Scholarship (0370007943) and/or the Franklin D. Schurz Library Fund, which supports the Library Prize for Undergraduate Research.  

 

Interested in digitization? Select the Franklin D. Schurz Library Fund.


 

Tax Advantages: Gifts to Indiana University are deductible as charitable contributions within the limits of the Internal Revenue Code. Indiana taxpayers are eligible for a 50% tax credit for gifts up to $400 on joint returns, or $200 on individual returns.

For questions, contact: Vicki Bloom, Dean of Library Services at (574) 520-4448 or Dina Harris, Director of Development at (574) 520-4131.