The Nontraditional and Commuter Student Center and the Division of Student Affairs at Missouri Western State University is holding a special event called “Heroes Among Us” to honor students, faculty and staff who are military veterans. The keynote speaker will be Timothy Hornik, a retired veteran who was blinded by a sniper’s gunshot wound while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. The event is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 in the atrium of Remington Hall on the Missouri Western campus.

The Nontraditional and Commuter Student Center has been soliciting nominees throughout the fall semester. Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president, will be presenting the 21 honorees with a coin and certificate.

Timothy Hornik is a medially retired Army officer and is a social worker in Kansas. He strives to help other veterans and their families cope and overcome the barriers created by disabilities. He currently serves as a field service representative in the eastern region for the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. Hornik holds a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University in Wisconsin and a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.