Penn State honored military service members and their families during its 2023 Military Appreciation Football Game on October 28. The game was presented by Penn State World Campus.
Penn State World Campus is home to more than 3,600 military-affiliated students, including veterans, active-duty service members, spouses, and dependents.
Penn State World Campus leadership and staff members distributed Penn State–themed military challenge coins at the Military Appreciation Tailgate inside the Bryce Jordan Center. The coins' design honored the love and support of military families.
Penn State came out on top over Indiana, 33–24. The University's Military Appreciation Week events continue in November.
Check out these photos from Saturday!
Open image![A man speaks to two women wearing camouflage uniforms.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Josh-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=bCu2oVkk)
![A man speaks to two women wearing camouflage uniforms.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Josh-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=bCu2oVkk)
Penn State World Campus assistant director of military marketing strategy Joshua Fickes and other staff members distributed challenge coins to attendees at the Military Appreciation Tailgate inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
Hannah Pollock
Open image![A group of people pose with a large check.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Check%20presentation-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=giPQDHBt)
![A group of people pose with a large check.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Check%20presentation-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=giPQDHBt)
Walmart and Sam's Club each donated $15,000 to the Penn State Military Student Fund. President Neeli Bendapudi accepted the check on behalf of the University at the Military Appreciation Tailgate inside the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday morning.
Hannah Pollock
Open image![Military challenge coins are displayed.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Coins-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=YL5Wwalx)
![Military challenge coins are displayed.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Coins-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=YL5Wwalx)
This year's challenge coin honored military families. Each star represents a branch of the U.S. military, the heart represents the love of military families, and the shield represents their strength and resilience.
Hannah Pollock
Open image![A football stadium with a large American flag on the field.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/flag%20on%20field-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=RFgr15QG)
![A football stadium with a large American flag on the field.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/flag%20on%20field-2320px.jpg.webp?itok=RFgr15QG)
Penn State played Indiana University during Saturday's Military Appreciation Game. The game included patriotic music by the Penn State Blue Band, a flyover, and shout outs to active service members and veterans.
Hannah Pollock
Open image![Military men wearing camouflage and green uniforms stand in a line on the field of Beaver Stadium](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/veterans-field_2320x1305.jpg.webp?itok=_Ql0qHQo)
![Military men wearing camouflage and green uniforms stand in a line on the field of Beaver Stadium](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/veterans-field_2320x1305.jpg.webp?itok=_Ql0qHQo)
Veterans and active-duty service members were honored during the game Oct. 28 at Beaver Stadium.
Trish Hummer
Open image![A group of people hand coins out to event attendees.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Employees.png.webp?itok=eVy5BaYn)
![A group of people hand coins out to event attendees.](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_gallery/public/2023-10/Employees.png.webp?itok=eVy5BaYn)
Renata Engel, vice provost for Online Education at Penn State, greets visitors to the Penn State World Campus booth during the Military Appreciation Tailgate.
Mike Dawson