Fall 2018 military honor cord ceremony set for Dec. 13 at University Park

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — All graduating service members and veteran students — including students attending the University Park campus, Penn State Commonwealth Campuses, and Penn State World Campus — are invited to participate in the University’s fall 2018 military honor cord ceremony. 

The ceremony will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, in Robb Hall of the Hintz Family Alumni Center at University Park. Graduating veterans and service members wishing to participate in the ceremony should register online by Friday, Nov. 30. The ceremony is free and family members are welcome to attend; food will be provided.

Penn State recognizes those graduates who have served or are currently serving in the United States military by awarding an honor cord in acknowledgment of their service and sacrifice, a tradition that began in spring 2016. The red, white and blue cords, which will be presented by Penn State President Eric Barron at the special ceremony, will be worn by graduates during fall 2018 commencement ceremonies.

“The military honor cord has meaning,” said Eugene McFeely, Penn State’s senior director for veterans affairs and services and a retired Air Force colonel. “In academia the cord represents academic achievement and excellence and sets the recipient apart from other graduates to bestow honor and recognition.

“The colors chosen for the military honor cord reflect the red, white and blue of the nation’s flag under which these students all have honorably served. As with the colors of our nation’s flag, the red symbolizes hardiness and valor; the white signifies purity and innocence; and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. These are the qualities expected of and displayed by our service members as they diligently serve our country.”

Students who are unable to attend the military honor cord ceremony in person can still pick up their cord from the veteran certifying official at their respective campus. World Campus students will receive their military honor cord by mail.

In addition to awarding honor cords to military graduates, Penn State offers a variety of services and programs through the Office of Veterans Programs to help veteran and active-duty students succeed. These services and programs include access to and processing of GI Bill benefits, priority registration, scholarships and grant-in-aid, a new student-veteran orientation, peer-to-peer sponsorship and mentoring programs, and a veteran-specific first-year seminar called “Transition is the Mission.” Penn State also offers access to on-campus student-veteran organizations, a Veterans Career Fair, military appreciation sporting events, and a Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic run by Penn State Law.

For additional information or questions about the military honor cord ceremony, contact Kristen Berg in the Department of Veterans Affairs and Services at kzb5514@psu.edu.