The River Celebrates Military Service and Academic Excellence Through Prestigious National Recognition Program
FORT PIERCE, FL (April 14, 2026)— Indian River State College (The River) proudly welcomed 14 student veterans and military members into the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society on April 6, 2026. The induction ceremony recognized outstanding individuals who demonstrate both exceptional academic achievement and dedicated military service.
SALUTE stands as the first national honor society established to exclusively recognize student veterans and active military members at two- and four-year colleges. SALUTE is an acronym for the organization’s core values of Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute, and Excellence. Furthermore, SALUTE’s founding principles continue to guide its chapters.
“At Indian River State College, we deeply honor the sacrifices our student veterans and military members have made,” said Dr. Timothy E. Moore, President of Indian River State College. “This induction into the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society reflects not only their remarkable academic achievement but also the discipline, resilience, and commitment they carry from their service into our classrooms and communities.”
About SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
SALUTE was established nationally in 2009. The organization has inducted more than 20,000 student veterans across the United States. SALUTE’s six core values emphasize continued community and campus participation and lifelong learning. They also emphasize peer mentorship and professional networking. Moreover, the society honors fallen service members through its Tribute value. It also challenges every member to maintain a prevailing attitude of Excellence in all endeavors.
Membership Eligibility and GPA Tiers
Membership in SALUTE carries rigorous standards. To qualify, undergraduate students must be active military, National Guard, or Reserve members — or honorably discharged veterans. Additionally, they must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours and uphold the highest ethical standards. The minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 3.0.
2026 Indian River State College SALUTE Inductees
The River proudly recognizes the following 14 student veterans and military members as its inaugural SALUTE inductees:
Chapter Officers:
- Jacob Deem — President, SALUTE Chapter & Student Government Association (SGA) Representative
- Richard Rainier — Vice President, SALUTE Chapter
- Jason Hochmuth — Secretary, SALUTE Chapter
- Noah Hilliard — Treasurer, SALUTE Chapter
General Members: Kimberly Buchanan, Philip DiMarco, Kimberly Heveron, David Houston, Terrell Knowles, Colt Krischke, Raymond McNamara, Jakob Phillips, Angelenia Spencer, and Tamara Trumbach.
The induction ceremony was organized by the College’s Office of Student Life and sponsored by the Indian River State College Alumni Association.
Indian River State College Supports Military-Connected Students
Indian River State College is proud to be recognized as a Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus and a Gold Status Military Friendly® School. These honors reflect the College’s deep commitment to serving those who have served our country. Through its dedicated Military and Veterans Services Department and the Veterans Center of Excellence, The River provides comprehensive support to military-connected students from application through graduation.
For more information about how to get involved with the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society, please contact the Faculty Chapter Advisor, David Yankwitt, at dyankwit@irsc.edu.
For information about Indian River State College’s military and veterans services, visit https://irsc.edu/admissions/military-veterans-services/ or call (772) 462-7711.
