Submitted by Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State recognized 11 graduating military students, including seven who have earned their degrees online through Penn State World Campus, with honor cords during a ceremony on campus Dec. 14.
Each semester, Penn State recognizes its graduating active-duty service members, veterans and newly commissioned Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students with a red, white and blue cord for their military service. The honor cords are intended to be worn around the student’s neck with their cap and gown during the commencement ceremonies, which were Dec. 16 for the fall 2023 semester.
“Your mission for the past several years was to learn as much as you could, expand your horizons and earn a Penn State degree,” said Eugene McFeely, senior director of veterans affairs and services at Penn State, at the ceremony. “You should take great pride in the fact that you have admirably accomplished your current mission.”
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi congratulated the students receiving military honor cords at the ceremony.
“You have successfully made the transition from military service to academic life, with some of you juggling both at the same time,” Bendapudi told the honor cord recipients. “Now it’s time for another transition, a new mission. As you begin an exciting chapter in your lives as Penn State graduates, you are more than ready to take on the challenges of our complex and ever-changing world.”
