The position left by Curley Lawson was filled in July, giving the Veterans’ Club a new adviser.
Doug Sams, the new adviser, was a Marine, and joined was deployed to the Middle East twice after joining the National Guard.
Sams is currently with the Air Force Reserves, and has used his reserves time to pursue higher education.
Currently Sams holds an undergraduate degree in political science and history, and a master’s degree in social work. Sams also did post-graduate work in Twin Falls studying addiction.
From New York to Alaska, Sams has a plethora of experience working with at-risk populations, juvenile corrections, and adult corrections.
“I specifically wanted to work with a veteran population,” Sams said. “I like working with veterans, that’s my true passion.”
Sams interned with the Spokane Valley vet center and worked with combat vets and PTSD.
Sams is focused on bringing attention to the veterans’ club, and has already lined up events.
“The more people who know about this [the Veterans’ Club], the more people who can be of service to the NIC community,” Sams said.
The first event held by the veterans’ club this semester was a BBQ hosted on Sept. 9.
A presentation on Agent Orange is the second event, and will occur on Sept. 20. The presentation is about the multi-generational effects of Agent Orange, a defoliating agent used by the U.S. military, on veterans and their families.
Sams is working with Outdoor Pursuits to setup future events, and intends for volunteer work to occur in the future.
“We’re hoping to do some more volunteer work on a regular basis with New Beginnings,” Sams said.
New Beginnings is a non-profit organization that helps serve veterans, and Sams hopes to partner with them to have a positive effect on the community.
“I’m hoping to get more and more veterans from the surrounding area,” Sams said.
In reaching out for awareness, Sams is also approaching the LCSC and U of I extensions.
“They really don’t have anything for extension students so I’m going to make those veterans aware that we’re actually here, in existence. A resource, not just for us [NIC], but for vets too,” Sams said.
Sams moved to the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area in 2010, and said he intends to make it is home.
The previous adviser, Lawson, left the position at the end of the Spring 2014 semester to take an open position at a veterans’ center in Spokane Valley.
