UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will honor military service members, veterans and their families with a series of military appreciation events for Penn State and local communities throughout October and November.
Penn State’s 12th annual Military Appreciation Week will kick off on Oct. 28 with the Military Appreciation game against Indiana University. Festivities will continue from Nov. 3-11 celebrating military families with members who serve or have served in the U.S. armed forces. Celebrations will include multiple events, including a Veterans Day ceremony, and the week will wrap up with the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public — including veterans and service members — and Penn State students, faculty and staff.
Military Appreciation events
Oct. 2 — State College Borough Proclamation: During its regular public meeting in the State College Municipal Building, the State College Borough recognized Military Appreciation Week in the borough to take place from Nov. 6 to 11.
Oct. 27 — Survey for "Ask a Veteran" panel event: Noon on the HUB-Robeson Center Monumental Steps. Student veterans from the Penn State Student Veterans Organization (PSUVO) will help answer community members’ questions about their service, access to academia, and any other questions students, faculty and staff have. The questions provided will be used in the "Ask the Vet" panel discussion on Nov. 7. Submit questions online using this link.
Oct. 28 — Military Appreciation Tailgate: 9:00 a.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State and Walmart will host a free tailgate featuring food, entertainment, a resource fair and more for active duty, Guard and Reserve military members, veterans and their families as well as Gold Star families. Additional events include a military-themed banner competition. Military members and veterans with valid proof of military service can get complimentary tickets at the door.
Oct. 28 — Military Appreciation Football Game: 12:00 p.m. at Beaver Stadium. The University will recognize Penn State military families who serve and have served in the U.S. armed forces during the football team’s match with Indiana University.
Oct. 31 — Centre County Proclamation: 10 a.m. at the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte. Centre County Commissioners will recognize November as Military Appreciation Month during its weekly meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
Nov. 3 — Military Appreciation-themed Movie Night with "Top Gun: Maverick": The State Theatre, downtown State College. A social will begin at 7 p.m. and the movie will start at 8 p.m. Join the Penn State Military Appreciation Committee to kick off the 2023 Military Appreciation week with a special showing of “Top Gun – Maverick.” Proceeds will support the Penn State Military Student Fund. Learn more about the event here and purchase tickets here.
Nov. 5 — Freedom 5k Race: Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the race will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Pattee Mall. The Freedom 5K — organized by Penn State Air Force ROTC — will raise money and awareness to support veterans navigating life after their service. Race registration is required via the online form. While the race is free to participate in, donations for Operation Red Wings Foundation are currently being accepted.
Nov. 7 — "Ask a Veteran" Panel: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the HUB-Robeson Center in the Flex Theater. The Pennsylvania State University Veterans Organization will host a panel discussion for the community. The discussion will be moderated by members of the PSUVO Executive Board and will include veterans and military-connected students. The panel will be livestreamed.
Nov. 8 — Military Appreciation Luncheon: Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hintz Alumni Center in 110 Robb Hall. Penn State employees, students and community members who served in the military and their families are invited to attend a free luncheon. The Penn State Military Appreciation committee will host Maj. Phillip Ealy, U.S. Army, as this year’s guest speaker. Ealy currently serves as a coaching coordinator for the Children, Youth and Families at Risk National Grant Program at the University's Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Tickets can be reserved by going to this link. RSVP by Nov. 1.
Nov. 9 — Military Cultural Competency — Be A Veteran Ally Training Program: 10 a.m. online. Register at IDP: Military Cultural Competency – Be a Veteran Ally (DIV-125). Employees of Penn State can sign up for this virtual training session through the Learning Resource Network in WorkLion.
Nov. 10 – Military Appreciation Breakfast: 9 to 11 a.m. in Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. The annual Penn State Employee and Student Military Service Recognition Breakfast recognizes University employees and students in the military. Students, faculty and staff who currently serve or have served in the armed forces are invited to attend the breakfast, which will feature light refreshments, entertainment and networking. Registration is required via this online form.
Nov. 10 — Veterans Day Ceremony: 11:11 a.m. to noon in front of the Old Main steps (rain location will be Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center) and virtually. Join the Penn State community for a Veterans Day Ceremony honoring those who have served in the armed forces. The annual ceremony, hosted by the Penn State Student Veterans Organization, will also be livestreamed.
About Penn State's Military Appreciation Week Committee
The Penn State Military Appreciation Week Committee is composed of Penn State and community volunteers dedicated to honoring the military community and celebrating Penn State’s military history and support for service members, veterans and military families. For more than a decade, the committee has organized Penn State Military Appreciation Week in collaboration with the community, student organizations, Penn State Athletics, and local veteran organizations. To help support annual events organized by the committee, visit this link.
For the latest Military Appreciation Week event information, visit the Penn State Military Appreciation website.