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Penn State awarded military honor cords to summer 2023 graduates

A man and a woman place the honor cords around the neck of a dummy wearing a graduation gown on a stage with flags of the service academies in the background
More than a dozen Penn State World Campus students received the red, white, and blue cords during a ceremony on the Penn State University Park campus.
August 15, 2023
By Mike Dawson

Penn State World Campus students received military honor cords at a ceremony held Friday, August 11, to recognize the learners who are serving or have served in the armed forces.

The red, white, and blue cords were presented by Penn State Provost Justin Schwartz at the ceremony and were worn by graduates during the summer 2023 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, August 12. 

The students in attendance were:

  • Andrea Ayala, chief warrant officer two in the Army, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Energy and Sustainability Policy
  • Jose Barron, a sergeant major in the Army, who graduated with a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
  • Christopher Becker, a sergeant major in the Army, who graduated with a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
  • MacArthur Engstrand, a staff sergeant in the Air Force, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Jarius Goliday, a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business
  • Jeff Harmon, a staff sergeant in the Army, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business
  • Angela Kyelberg, a sergeant first class in the Army, who graduated with an Associate in Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Christopher Nelson, a sergeant major in the Army, who graduated with a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
  • Dana Richmond, a sergeant major in the Army, who graduated with a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
  • Khalil Thomas, a sergeant in the Army, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology
  • William Townsend, a petty officer first class in the Navy, who graduated with a Master's in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Whitney White, a seaman in the Navy, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics
  • Yanitsa Wiley, a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society
  • Zachary Wriston, a sergeant major in the Army, who graduated with a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education

University leaders in attendance included Provost Justin Schwartz, Vice Provost for Online Education Renata Engel, and Senior Director for Veterans Affairs and Services Eugene McFeely.

A man wearing a suit shakes the hand of a man wearing a dress military uniform.
Khalil Thomas is sergeant in the Army and received a Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology. He is congratulated by Provost Justin Schwartz.
Hannah Pollock
Jarius Goliday and his family have their picture taken
Jarius Goliday is a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business.
Hannah Pollock
A woman poses next to a man
Yanitsa Wiley, a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society.
Hannah Pollock
A woman and a man in military uniform talk
Vice Provost for Online Education Renata Engel talks with Sergeant Major Christopher Nelson, a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education grad. Nelson traveled from Texas to celebrate in person.
Hannah Pollock
Mac Engstrand walks on the stage, wearing the honor cords around his neck
Mac Engstrand, a staff sergeant in the Air Force, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies.
Mike Dawson
A man in a suit shakes the hand of a man in a dress military uniform
Christopher Becker is a sergeant major in the Army and received a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education. He is congratulated by Provost Justin Schwartz.
Hannah Pollock
A large group of people pose in front of U.S. military flags.
Penn State awards cords to its military and veteran students that they can wear at graduation.
Hannah Pollock
Two men shake hands
Jeff Harmon, a staff sergeant in the Army, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business.
Hannah Pollock
The U.S. flag and the flags of the branches of the military are shown
Each semester, Penn State recognizes military and veteran students with honor cords.
Hannah Pollock
Two men shake hands
Jose Barron, a sergeant major in the Army, is congratulated by Provost Justin Schwartz. Barron graduated with a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education.
Hannah Pollock
A woman and men in military uniforms stand on a stage
Five sergeants major from the Army attended the ceremony. They are flanked by Vice Provost Renata Engel, on the left, and Will Diehl, a faculty member from the College of Education, on the right.
Mike Dawson
A man in a suit shakes hands with a woman in a military uniform
Dana Richmond is a sergeant major in the Army and graduated with a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education. She is congratulated by Provost Justin Schwartz.
Hannah Pollock
Media Contact:
Mike Dawson
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