UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will honor the service and sacrifice of military service members, veterans and their families with a series of virtual military appreciation events for the Penn State and local communities. The University’s ninth annual Military Appreciation Week will take place from Nov. 7 to 14.
The celebrations, including a full day of virtual programs on Veterans Day, have been adapted to a virtual format this year to support the health and well-being of campus and local community members due to the pandemic.
Beginning at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, tune in to an adapted Veterans Day Ceremony, which will be streamed online by WPSU at watch.psu.edu/MAW, featuring video messages from the Penn State community, followed by a virtual yoga class, a conversation with student veterans, and a discussion on mental health.
All events are available to the public — including veterans and service members — and Penn State students, faculty and staff.
Military appreciation events:
Nov. 7 to 14 — Scavenger hunt (University Park):In collaboration with the Downtown State College Improvement District, the Penn State Military Appreciation Week committee invites the community to take part in a scavenger hunt from Nov. 7 to 14 to win a $25 gift card. To participate, individuals will visit 10 downtown businesses each displaying a profile of a Penn State veteran. Those who visit and scan the QR code at all 10 businesses will complete a Google form and be entered to win one of 10 available $25 gift cards. Participating business include McLanahan’s (both locations), The Tavern, The Corner Room, Lion’s Pride/Collegiate Pride, Balfurd Dry Cleaners (downtown location), Happy Valley Optical, Harpers, Saint’s Café, Webster’s Bookstore, and Your Cigar Den.
Nov. 7 – Penn State Football Military Salute: Virtually join Nittany Nation on Nov. 7 when the Nittany Lions take on the Maryland Terrapins and salute our nation’s military. Programming will begin at 8 a.m. with the Unrivaled Pregame Show streamed on Facebook Live, Twitter and GoPSUsports.com. The game will air at 3:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
Nov. 9 — Local Military Appreciation Week proclamations: In coordination with Penn State’s activities, the State College Borough Council will recognize the military community during its meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 9. The State College Borough Council meetings are broadcast live on C-NET (Channel 7) and are also available via livestream on the C-NET website. The Centre County Commissioners also have recognized Nov. 7 to 14 as Military Appreciation Week in the county.
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. to noon. The Penn State Student Veteran Organization will host a livestream event of the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony to honor and thank all who served in the U.S. armed forces. To view the ceremony online, visit watch.psu.edu/MAW. (Please note: The event will not take place in person at Old Main on the University Park campus this year.)
Nov. 11 — Mindful resilience virtual yoga class: 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. Wellness in Motion yoga instructors will lead a free, mindful resilience yoga class open to the Penn State community, veterans and military families. The mindful resilience yoga class will be taught by certified yoga instructors who have studied with the Veterans Yoga Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting recovery and resilience among veterans, families and communities. Participants of all levels are welcome. Registration is required. Individuals should contact Renee Kotch at rak5434@psu.edu to register in advance (the Zoom link will be provided after registration).
Nov. 11 — Veteran student panel discussion: 6 to 7 p.m. A panel of student veterans, including Calvin Firster, Devon Francke, Camilo Gomez and Erik Wilson, from different branches of the military will host a conversation to share their experiences and insights. To view online, visit: watch.psu.edu/MAW.
Nov. 11 — Let’s Talk About Mental Health discussion: 7 to 8 p.m. The student organization ReGeneration will host an event about the effects of adverse childhood experiences and combat exposure on veterans’ mental well-being via Zoom. This discussion will be led by Daniel F. Perkins, professor of youth and family resiliency and policy and principal scientist and founder of the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. Registration is required. Please register for the event here to receive the Zoom link.
Penn State Commonwealth Campuses:
Nov. 12 — Online Veterans Educational Workshop: 5:45 to 7 p.m. Penn State Scranton will present a Veterans Educational Workshop that will include presentations by Coordinator of Career Services Jon Tobin and Enrollment Specialist Stacy Shattuck, as well as a Q&A centered on student perspectives. Registration is required. More information is available here.
For the latest information about military appreciation events, visit militaryappreciation.psu.edu.