Mercyhurst University in Erie will host its annual Celebration of Valor on Friday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. in the Mercy Heritage Room. The ceremony is open to students, faculty, staff, administrators and the broader Erie community, offering a chance to thank military veterans and service members for their courage, commitment and sacrifices.
Program Highlights
The event will begin with an opening prayer led by Dr. Greg Baker, vice president for mission. He will be followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Florentine Hoelker, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.
The featured speaker is Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Genard, U.S. Army, whose address, titled “Eternal Thanks for Temporary Service,” will honor the contributions of veterans and highlight the ongoing responsibilities of those who have served.
About Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Genard
Lt. Col. Genard is a 2009 distinguished military graduate of Gannon University. He has deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (2012) and Operation Inherent Resolve (2015). His career includes service with the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, and the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
He earned a master’s degree from Gannon through the Army’s Advanced Civil Schooling scholarship and later served at the National Security Agency at Ft. Meade, Maryland. Additional assignments include senior signal observer, coach and trainer at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, and signal instructor for the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Ft. Benning.
Lt. Col. Genard’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Basic Space Badge. He is a graduate of Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger schools and attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He currently serves as professor of military science at Gannon University.
Additional Ceremonial Activities
Earlier that morning, at 8 a.m., the Army ROTC Color Guard will conduct a Reveille ceremony at the flagpole in front of Old Main. A ceremonial cannon will fire to honor the flag and set the tone for the day’s celebrations.
Planning for this year’s event is overseen by Veterans Service Coordinator Chris Popa. For more information, interested individuals may contact him at [email protected].
Why It Matters
The Celebration of Valor reflects Mercyhurst’s commitment to honoring those who have defended our nation’s freedoms. By bringing together the university community and local residents, the event reinforces the shared values of faith, family and liberty that underpin both the campus and the broader Erie region.
Original reporting: Mercyhurst University News (Erie) – stopgap — read the source article.
