PennWest University will observe Military and Veterans Appreciation Week Nov. 9-13, with Veterans Day celebrations Monday, Nov. 9, at Edinboro and Wednesday, Nov. 11, at California and Clarion.

In a proclamation adopted Oct. 28, Interim President Dr. James D. Fisher recognized the history of military service among PennWest students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators in times of peace and conflict. The proclamation recognizes the sacrifices of military families and calls on the university community to thank those who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Each campus program will feature a U.S. Army veteran as its keynote speaker. At California’s 53rd annual celebration, the university will also honor a Coast Guard veteran who is preparing to become a teacher. All three programs are open to the public and will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Edinboro — Nov. 9 

PennWest Edinboro’s celebration will take place Monday, Nov. 9, in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center Multipurpose Room. 

Keynote speaker Matthew Killian served more than 12 years in the U.S. Army as a cavalry scout, earning numerous awards and decorations for his service stateside and during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Killian now serves as a peer specialist at the Erie VA Medical Center, working with veterans in the Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. He helps fellow veterans navigate recovery, rediscover purpose and build connections within their communities. 

California — Nov. 11 

PennWest California will host its 53rd annual Veterans Day celebration Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Convocation Center’s South Wing. 

Keynote speaker Michael Stankovich graduated from PennWest's California campus in 2001 with a degree in journalism. Inspired by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a military policeman. Within months of completing his training, he deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later transitioned to the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division. 

The celebration will include the presentation of the 2026 Colonel Arthur Bakewell Scholarship to Erica Jernell, a California campus senior majoring in early childhood and elementary education. Jernell is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. 

PSECU is a sponsor of the California celebration. 

Clarion — Nov. 11 

PennWest Clarion’s celebration will take place Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Gemmell Student Complex Multipurpose Room. 

Keynote speaker Andrea Selker served nine years in the U.S. Army, including service in medical evacuation operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

To RSVP for any of the three celebrations, contact Cory Shay, director of Military and Veteran Success, at shay_c@pennwest.edu or veterans@pennwest.edu.