PennWest President Dr. Jon Anderson signed a proclamation Wednesday designating Nov. 10-14, 2025, as Military and Veterans Appreciation Week at Pennsylvania Western University.
The proclamation reaffirms PennWest’s commitment to serving and supporting veterans and military families and lauds the continued contributions of past and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“With this proclamation, we honor the extraordinary sacrifices of veterans and military families – and we also recognize the important role they play in the future of PennWest,” Anderson said. “Their courage, resilience and experience enrich our university every day, and our commitment to supporting them extends well beyond this week of recognition.”
PennWest will commemorate Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at each campus.
California
At PennWest California, a community lunch and program will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the South Wing of the Convocation Center.
The keynote speaker will be James Martin “Marty” Coode, a 1998 California graduate and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Coode enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 and served with Marine ground forces in Guam and later in Beirut, Lebanon. He was honorably discharged in 1983.
Following his military service, Coode earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the California campus, graduating magna cum laude, and went on to support fellow veterans as a peer support specialist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Clarion
Clarion ROTC will conduct a flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m., followed by a community breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in Eagle Commons Rooms 107/108. President Anderson will provide welcome remarks during the breakfast.
Dr. Joseph Croskey, associate professor at PennWest and a Ranger-qualified U.S. Army Infantry Officer, will serve as keynote speaker. Croskey is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. After graduating, he further developed his leadership skills through U.S. Army Ranger School and as an infantry platoon leader during Desert Storm. He served six years in the U.S. Army.
Following his military service, Croskey earned a master’s degree from The George Washington University and later completed his Ph.D., focusing on the benefits of mindfulness training for college students. His career has taken him around the world – including Turkey, Okinawa and Germany – and his work with service-learning programs in Nicaragua and Tanzania has supported communities globally. Croskey is dedicated to advancing well-being and human flourishing, continually seeking ways to foster peace, resilience and positive change.
Edinboro
Edinboro ROTC will conduct a flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m. in front of Frank G. Pogue Student Center, 405 Scotland Road, Edinboro, followed by a community breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center Multipurpose Room.
The program will feature keynote speaker Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Bellini, a 1979 Edinboro graduate and member of the PennWest Council of Trustees.
The son of a World War II veteran, Bellini was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Army ROTC after earning his bachelor’s degree in economics from Edinboro. Over the course of his career, he earned three master’s degrees and completed advanced military education at the Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies, Armed Forces Staff College and U.S. Army War College.
Bellini served nearly 32 years on active duty, holding command and staff positions in the United States and overseas. He commanded at the company, battalion and brigade levels and later served as commanding general of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School, 49th Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army and deputy commanding general at Fort Lee, Virginia. He retired as a brigadier general and later worked as a vice president and general manager for ITT Corp., later Exelis Corp.
Pennsylvania Western University is committed to serving and supporting military service members, veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.pennwest.edu/military.