WESTVILLE | Counseling, benefits information, and referrals are among the services offered by the newly opened Veteran's Center of Northwest Indiana on the campus of Purdue University North Central.

The center, which opened this summer, is designed as a resource to benefit all veterans among students, faculty, staff and in the wider community, PNC counseling center director Diana Marovich said.

Hosting the center is a way to provide an atmosphere conducive to serving veterans' needs, Marovich said.

Currently, about 105 veterans study at PNC.

In addition to veterans, the center's services are available to qualifying family members. Free individual, group, couple and family counseling are available, as are support services for spouses and significant others. 

Students juggle many responsibilities, including work, family, study and ongoing military commitments, Marovich said. Some students are active duty personnel between deployments.

A representative of the Gary Area Veterans Center in Merrillville is on campus every other Thursday and as needed to address veterans' needs.

The center is complimented by a veterans club allowing veterans to get together in an informal setting, make friends and support one another. Members lead special campus tours for prospective students who are vets.

PNC also offers priority registration and fee deferment for veterans. On Nov. 11, the university will host its second annual Veterans Day events.

For more information about the center, call (219) 736-5633.

Earlier this year, PNC was awarded a $50,000 Operation Diploma grant funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. to develop programs and policies designed to boost academic success of student service members and veterans on campus.