Mansfield University hosts annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

MANSFIELD, PA (11/11/2021) — Mansfield University hosted its annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at North Manser Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

The annual event is organized by Mansfield University Military and Veteran Affairs and the MU Veterans Support Group and is open to the campus community and the public.

The Mansfield University Army ROTC presented the colors before music major Carson Witherite provided a moving rendition of the National Anthem. Roger Maisner, associate professor of health sciences and coordinator of Military & Veteran Affairs, was the master of ceremonies and Dr. John Ulrich, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, gave the welcome for the event.

Nursing major and member of the Air National Guard, Victoria Newton, provide an explanation of the Missing Man Table on display at the event and Dave Muffley '93, a retired Navy veteran, read an original poem.

The guest speaker for the event was Tim Cleveland, the director of Tioga County Veteran's Affairs and retired Air Force Master Sergeant veteran. Cleveland thanked active duty service members and veterans for their service and highlighted the support that the Tioga County Veteran's Affairs office has received from the county in order to meet the needs of the more than 5,000 veterans in Tioga County.

Jason Welch, PASSHE purchasing agent and U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, spoke about Larry Anderson '21, a Vietnam veteran and graduate of the Mansfield University social work program who passed away in August. "Uncle Larry", as he was affectionately known by his peers, left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Dr. Josh Battin, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and interim associate vice president of administration along with a USMC veteran, introduced the military scholarship recipients. The following students were presented with the MU Military Scholarship: Anya Carr (Port Treverton, Pa.), Dalton Clarkson (Williamsport, Pa.), Alexandria Granville (Carbondale, Pa.), Marvins Ravix (Norristown, Pa.), Gerardo Reyes (Wyalusing, Pa.), Alexander Vanderpool (Rome, Pa.), Madeline Villarreal (Lititz, Pa.), and Kory Wharton (Philadelphia, Pa.). Valerie Vanderpool (Monroeton, Pa.) was honored with the Shirey-Cromley Yellow Ribbon Award.

The event was supported by the following groups and individuals: Bellefonte VFW Post 1600, Blossburg Supreme Sacrifice VFW Post 8730, Canton VFW Post 714 Canteen, C&N Bank, Denise Davey, Galeton Raymond Richar VFW Post 6611, Huntington Standing Stone VFW Post 1754, Knoxville Howard S. Lines VFW Post 6753, Mansfield Foundation, Mansfield University ROTC, Mansfield University Student Veterans Organization, Mansfield VFW Post 6757, Cathy Martin, Morris Run American Legion Post 167, Osceola Mills VFW Post 5020, Tanya Reese, Towanda VFW Post 1568, Van Etten-Spencer VFW Post 8139.