Veteran Receives Award

Published: December 20, 2018

Daniel VanRenselaar, a veteran and Business major at College of Western Idaho (CWI), was recognized for going above and beyond this semester by helping fellow students.

VanRenselaar is the recipient of the John McCain Memorial Award for Veterans Service. He demonstrated key characteristics of this award by organizing student study groups both in and out of the classroom.

“I might not have passed my statistics course without Van’s help outside of the classroom, he really helped me grasp the materials,” commented one of his classmates.

The John McCain Memorial Award for Veterans Service, inspired by the late U.S. Senator and Navy veteran, John S. McCain III, whose military service included five and a half years as a prisoner during the Vietnam War, acknowledges the commitment and sacrifice CWI’s veterans make to meet their educational goals and continue contributing to society and their communities following military service.

Associate Professor, Joe Welker, said of this year’s recipient. “Dan’s ability to gather and lead his peers is a skill we learn in the military and it doesn’t always translate to civilian life, this is a major asset. I am proud to see veterans serving their community after service!”

More from CWI

Nine people stand together while holding a sign that says Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Assistant students earned top honors at the IOTA conference, winning a clinical knowledge competition and receiving a leadership scholarship.

Read more about Occupational Therapy Assistant Students Win at State Conference
Stonecrop 2026

CWI students gain hands-on experience in writing, editing, design, and publishing through Stonecrop, a student-led literary magazine featuring creative work from around the world.

Read more about Stonecrop Gives CWI Students Hands-On Publishing Experience
Roxana holding a certificate with three faculty standing beside her

Beginning Fall 2027, CWI will expand Adult Education services at Boise Micron Academic Center, creating more opportunities for adult learners.

Read more about Adult Education to Expand Opportunities with New Boise Location
Students stand in front of CSI logo

College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Speech and Debate team launched the 2026-2027 season at the Fran Tanner Open, held Sept. 25 and 26 at College of Southern Idaho. The tournament welcomed...

Read more about Speech & Debate Kicks Off 2026 Season at Fran Tanner Open
Person stands in front of tree and grass with arms crossed

A summer internship at the Stibnite Gold Project gave CWI Geosciences student Kyah Retherford hands-on experience and a closer look at careers in mining and geoscience.

Read more about Retherford Discovers Possibilities Through Geosciences
Student looks at drill core

Geosciences and Mining Technician students spent the summer gaining hands-on experience at Perpetua Resources while connecting classroom learning to careers in mining.

Read more about Student Interns Spend Summer at Stibnite Gold Project
Faculty and students interact with one another

This Fall 2026 semester, approximately 450 new apprenticeship students began their first year in CWI's Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Apprenticeship programs.

Read more about New Apprentices Begin Skilled Trades Training at CWI
Madison Miller stands in front of stairs leading to building

An internship with Idaho State Police gave Madison Miller firsthand experience — and a clearer picture of where a criminal justice career could take her.

Read more about Miller Takes Criminal Justice Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Three CNA students stand in lab

Access to healthcare education is growing in Valley County thanks to new partnerships between CWI, McCall Rehabilitation and Care Center, and McCall-Donnelly High School.

Read more about Partnerships Expand Certified Nursing Assistant Training Opportunities in Valley County
Studio Art students at the Nampa Festival of Arts

Studio Art students and faculty judged the Juried Arts Competition at the 39th Annual Nampa Festival of the Arts, Aug. 8 and 9.

Read more about CWI Studio Art Celebrates Local Arts
Kellan Brown leans against the wall

Kellan Brown came to CWI with questions about people and the human experience. Through anthropology, he’s discovering where those questions can take him.

Read more about Brown Builds a Future in Anthropology
Autumn Harvey wearing her medal in front of a car

From the classroom to the national stage, CWI graduate, Autumn Harvey, turned technical skill and determination into gold and a career.

Read more about Harvey Builds a Gold Medal Career

News QR Code

URL: https://cwi.edu/news/veteran-receives-award<br>