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Matthew McDermott 
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Loyola University Chicago Student Josh Jones Named Student Veteran of the Year 

CHICAGO, IL – February 1, 2023

Loyola University Chicago senior Josh Jones has been named Student Veteran of the Year by Student Veterans of America (SVA) – a nonprofit organization that seeks to elevate the academic, professional, and personal development of veterans in higher education through a network of on-campus chapters in all 50 states and three countries overseas. 

Jones, an economics major with a minor in biology in Loyola’s College of Arts and Sciences, was named president of Loyola’s SVA chapter in 2021. He is a Marine Corps veteran who served as a 2311 Ammunition Technician stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with units such as 2nd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment and 2nd Marine Logistics Group. His accomplishments both in and out of uniform recently received personal recognition from Representative Michael Bost, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.   

“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive the ‘Student Veteran of the Year’ award from SVA,” said Jones. “This organization is deeply passionate about supporting veterans and has provided me with so many opportunities. SVA is essential to the success of student veterans – I hope to continue working with the network for a long time.” 

Jones will officially launch his own nonprofit project Chicago Brigade with a networking social hosted by Uber on March 30 at The Old Post Office. Registration is now open, and all Chicagoland veterans in higher education are encouraged to attend for an opportunity to connect with some of the most sought-after employers in the area. 

“Josh was selected from 1,500 chapters representing 750,000 student veterans,” said Alex Pirila, associate director for Military Veteran Student Services (MVSS). “He was chosen for his leadership in helping fellow student veterans find community at Loyola, and for his steadfast commitment to improving the lives of student veterans everywhere.” 

Pirila, a fellow Marine Corps veteran, was one of five finalists for SVA’s Chapter Advisor of the Year award. He leads Loyola’s MVSS Office, which strives to support the successful transition of student veterans from military service to the University and beyond. As a testament to the passionate engagement of Loyola’s student veterans, their chapter was also nominated as SVA Chapter of the Year – and was invited to serve as the voice of student veterans nationwide at the 103rd American Legion National Convention. 

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About Loyola University Chicago 
Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, with nearly 17,500 students. The University has four campuses: three in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, as well as course locations in Vernon Hills, Illinois (Cuneo Mansion and Gardens), and a Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, Illinois. The University features 15 schools, colleges, and institutes. Ranked a top national university by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is also among a select group of universities recognized for community service and engagement by prestigious national organizations including AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation. To learn more about Loyola, visit LUC.edu or follow us on Twitter via @LoyolaChicago.