Centenary University will mark Veterans Day this year with several events to express the appreciation of the campus community for the heroism and commitment to freedom demonstrated by the nation’s veterans. Organized through the university’s Office of Veterans Services, activities will include:

Virtual Veterans Day Celebration, Nov. 11: Available on the Centenary website and social media, the virtual event—normally held in person on the university’s Hackettstown campus—will feature presentation of the colors by American Legion Post 164 of Hackettstown, the singing of the national anthem by Centenary’s acapella group, The Cyc-Tones, and video messages from Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5th District), Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11th district), and Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., and his wife, Jeanne Murphy, both of whom are U.S. Army veterans with more than 50 years of combined service. Dr. Murphy is a retired lieutenant colonel with 23 years of service, while Mrs. Murphy is a retired colonel with 30 years of service.

Donation Drive, Nov. 11-Dec. 4: This year the Office of Veteran Services at Centenary University will be partnering with Centenary’s Office of Community Engagement, the Hackettstown Woman’s Club, and Waterloo United Methodist Church for its annual donations drive to benefit veteran residents at the Lyons VA Medical Center and the East Orange VA Medical Center, both of which are in New Jersey. Donations needed include K-cup coffee pods; cans of ground coffee; 2021 wall calendars; note paper, envelopes, and books of postage stamps; puzzle books (crossword, word search, Sudoku); pencils and pens; coloring books and crayons; t-shirts (men’s and women’s, all sizes); undergarments (men’s and women’s, all sizes); toiletries (deodorant, toothpaste, bodywash, etc.). Donations can be dropped off at the Centenary University Office of Experiential Learning in the Edward W. Seay Administration Building, room 102; The Hackettstown Library; and Waterloo United Methodist Church.

Under the Gold Dome Virtual Lecture, Nov. 11, 7 p.m.—The next installment of the University’s lecture series will feature Dr. Daniel Roberts, president and CEO of the Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc., a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that conducts world-class, women-centered education and research in spiritual and leadership support. The series is presented in cooperation with Centenary’s Campus Ministry and University Advancement offices and brings together speakers that provide information that supports the United Methodists Church Mission for Social Justice. For more information, email Timothy Nicinski, university chaplain, at timothy.nicinski@centenaryuniversity.edu.

American Legion Post 164, Nov. 11, 10:10 a.m.—Col. Jeanne Murphy, USA (Ret.) will address members of American Legion Post 164 of Hackettstown, representing women veterans at the post’s annual Veterans Day observance. She is the wife of Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., a retired lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army. Col. Murphy is a U.S. Army veteran with more than 30 years of service.

Honor Tree: Each year, the University displays an Honor Tree to recognize the valor, courage, and sacrifice of those who served or are currently serving. Participants are invited to hang a color-coded star in support of our troops and to honor family, friends, colleagues, alumni, and those in the greater Centenary community who have served. Due to the pandemic, this year’s Honor Tree will be displayed via video from the home of Margie Pavlichko, director of veteran services. For more information and to request a star, click here.

Thank You Cards Virtual Event, Nov. 11: Centenary students have the opportunity to send thank-you cards to veterans at the Lyons VA Medical Center and the East Orange VA Medical Center through this virtual event at 8 p.m. on Nov. 11. Participants can sign up through Rachel Danitz, community engagement coordinator, at Rachel.Danitz@centenaryuniversity.edu.

Centenary University has a proud history of programming that encourages veterans, enlisted service members, and their families to earn a college degree. Centenary offers a one-stop Office of Veteran Services and a designated Veteran’s Resource Center. In addition, the University has been a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon program since its inception. Thanks to the generosity of former CDR John S. Jenkins, Jr., JAGC, USN, the Marilyn Lewis Jenkins ’51 Endowed Scholarship will also assist active duty or retired service personnel and children of military families to afford a college education at Centenary.

The University recently announced that it is a participating educational institution in the Community College of the Air Force’s (CCAF) General Education Mobile (GEM) Program, which provides the opportunity for air and space personnel enrolled at CCAF to earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS), taking virtual general education courses through Centenary. The University also offers a free riding program, Operation Centaur, for veterans to participate in equine classroom, ground activities, and riding, as well as to learn more about the horse and human relationship.