Chez Veterans Center

 

The Illini Club of San Diego county sponsors a scholarship program that benifits students via the Chez Veterans Center.  The Center was constructed with state-of-the-art technology to accommodate a variety of disabilities.   It features:

  • a large lounge for student veterans to study and interact
  • a kitchen was constructed to meet or exceed ADA compliance for physical disabilities
  • a counseling wing was designed to offer a quiet and private atmosphere for veterans and their families
  • a second floor is the gym, which offers a variety of equipment for all types of disabilities
  • an Academic and Career Center for Academic Lab and Career Workshops
  • fourteen residential units with suites and bathrooms providing state-of-the-art accessibility features, including a remote-controlled SureHands ceiling lift system
     

John Goeken                                                                                                                                                                                                      

John Goeken the recipient of the San Diego Illini Club 2024-2025 scolarship of $2500.  John is an electrical engineering student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, originally from Desert Hot Springs, California. With 17 years of military and security experience, John served as an infantryman at Twentynine Palms, California in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning a Navy and Marine Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and a Purple Heart for actions 

In Afghanistan, John's diverse experience included leadership, problem-solving, and hands-on technical expertise in demanding environments. Prior to studying at Illinois, John attended Baltimore City Community College, where a foundation in electrical engineering was established. Focused on transitioning into engineering, John applies a practical approach to solving real-world challenges by improving existing technologies, with an emphasis on sustainability and efficiency. John’s academic journey is supported by his wife and two children, who inspire his commitment to continuous learning and innovation. 

Learn more about John on the Chez Veterans Center website.

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