At 10 years, Chez Veterans Center honors its family and friends
By ETHAN SIMMONS
After long journeys to Urbana-Champaign, the Chez family joined each other at the campus center bearing their name, beaming with pride.
Thirteen years ago, Ron Chez—a 1962 University of Illinois graduate and Army veteran turned investor and philanthropist—provided a lead gift to build the Chez Veterans Center. Since then, the campus hub has assisted the transition to higher education and beyond for many hundreds of student Veterans and military-connected students since its opening a decade ago.
Though Ron couldn’t be there for its 10-year anniversary, his son Eric, daughter-in-law Julie and granddaughters Ilyse and Eden traveled from locations across the country to attend on his behalf, and see the center’s community reflect on its first 10 years.
As they mingled with students and recent graduates who have benefited from the Chez Veterans Center, the family was moved to see Ron’s commitment realized before them.
“It’s something we’re going to look at with continual pride, the growth and change of direction from where it was 10 years ago,” Eric Chez said. “Seeing that it’s all working and paying off is very rewarding.”
The Chez Veterans Center has evolved since its doors first opened in 2015. Initially named the Chez Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, the center’s scope has expanded to support new generations of student Veterans who didn’t see combat, as well as students from military families. The name was shortened to the Chez Veterans Center in 2019, after students and staff supported the change.
With residential services available for student Veterans, combined with research opportunities, scholarships, classes and counseling, the Chez Veterans Center is a first-of-its-kind facility supporting Veterans’ transition to university life. On average, about 600 students have visited the center each semester since its opening.
“The Chez Veterans Center is more than a building—clearly,” said Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences, the center’s home college. “It’s a space for healing, discovery, growth and empowerment. Every day it opens doors to Veterans who are reshaping their lives through educational service.”
“We’re honored to have the Chez family members here who carry forward Ron’s vision with compassion and grace,” she said at the center’s 10-year celebration. “I can’t tell you how much your presence means to our community.”
‘What a beautiful place’
In his early days as director of the Chez Veterans Center, Andy Bender was looking for as much thoughtful guidance as he could find. His chats with Ron Chez, including a visit to his home in Florida a couple years ago, helped Bender as he was getting on his feet.
“Mr. Chez has been willing to listen to me, to guide and to provide advice and support,” Bender said. “To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had the experience where somebody is willing to give that kind of time in this way.”
The 10-year celebration held on May 8 brought together the center’s students, staff and supporters together under one roof. It was the first time the Chez family visited the center together since its groundbreaking ceremony in Urbana, back in fall 2013.
Hearing stories of how the center has made a difference in students’ lives touched the Chez family, including Ilyse Chez, who works as a middle school counselor in Oregon.
“What a beautiful place,” she said. “I think I underestimated all the aspects here. I wasn’t aware of how much it’s grown and expanded, and to see the benefits in action has been such a wonderful experience.”
Back in 2012, Ron Chez pledged $6 million to cover nearly half of the center’s construction costs. The Chez Family Foundation has continued philanthropic work across the country and the Illinois campus, including a scholarship program for students with disabilities.
“Being a Veteran is a really big part of his identity, and to begin to do something like this and create such a meaningful and profound impact like this is really special to him,” said Ron’s granddaughter Eden Macknin. “He feels a great deal of pride and gratitude to be able to provide for people who haven’t been taken care of as they should.”
One graduating senior who stuck around for the festivities was Sam Bautista, a four-year Air Force Veteran who’s obtaining his degree in Community Health at Illinois. Bautista is keenly aware of how the Chez Veterans Center played a “crucial role” in his adjustment to college.
“Veterans transitioning out are told by society that you need to ‘fit in’ to what society is. And that’s true in many aspects, but to have a place where you’re surrounded by Veterans who understand your experience, that’s what Chez provides for all of us here,” Bautista said. “The friends I’ve made here have said it’s one place for Veterans to call home while here at Illinois.”
Education was always Bautista’s end goal. His next stop is a graduate program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“A lot of Veterans are hard on themselves—they need to give themselves credit for what they’ve done but then move onto their next chapter and enjoy it too,” he said. “Veterans are go-getters, we’re trained to be, it’s ingrained in us. When we find that passion again, you can reignite the fire you have in the military.”
Sam Bautista (right) speaks with Michael and Susan Haney at the Chez Center's 10th anniversary celebration.
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A few key supporters were recognized for making the work of the Chez Veterans Center possible.
- Joe Rank, an Illinois alumnus, Vietnam War Veteran and member of the Chez advisory board, was presented the center’s inaugural Guidon Award for his continued partnership with the center.
- Susan and Michael Haney, alumni and longtime educators whose Ronald D. Paulsgrove Student Support Fund, named for Susan’s cousin who served in Vietnam, covers the non-academic costs of college for student Veterans.
- Naomi Winslow, who decided to honor her late husband Wayne, an Army and Air Force Veteran, by providing a named gift to the Chez Veterans Center. The center’s common area kitchen is now named after the couple.
- Tanya Gallagher, previous dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences who championed the Chez Center’s creation while she worked for Illinois. Gallagher was presented with a flag that had flown over the center.
Editor's note: To learn more about the Chez Veterans Center, visit chezveteranscenter.ahs.illinois.edu