Veterans Day: Mercyhurst hosts annual Celebration of Valor

Students, faculty, staff and administrators are invited to attend Mercyhurst's annual “Celebration of Valor” on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, at 3:30 p.m. in the Mercy Heritage Room.

Mercyhurst's own Dr. Fred Hoffman, chair of the Department of Intelligence Studies, will be this year's guest speaker.

The annual holiday provides the university with an opportunity to highlight veterans' contributions to the college's academic and cultural community and to express gratitude to the community.

The afternoon assembly begins with the Pride of PA Mercyhurst University ROTC Cadet Color Guard hanging the colors, followed by “The National Anthem” sung by Mercyhurst student Ryah Lambert.

An opening prayer will be given by Vice President for Mission Dr. Greg Baker, with welcoming remarks from President Kathleen A. Getz, Ph.D.

Meanwhile, Hoffman will share his personal thoughts on “Serving Our Country: A Family Tradition.” Hoffman's late father, Adolph, was a U.S. Army veteran like himself.

Hoffman has had a long and distinguished military career, serving in 28 different countries. From 1984 to 2013 he worked as a Human Intelligence Officer for the Department of Defense. His most vivid and historic memories include working as an Army intelligence officer in West Berlin when the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, and working at the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon on September 11. He retired from the army reserves as a lieutenant colonel.

In 2015, his career began as a professor of military science at Johns Hopkins University, where he served as research director of Cipher Systems LLC and founder of Fifth Domain Solutions. In 2019, he began employment at Mercyhurst as a lecturer in intelligence studies. Today he is chairman of the department.

Hoffman earned his D.Sc. He received his BA in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris University, his MS in Strategic Intelligence from Defense Intelligence University, his MA in Asian Studies from the University of Michigan, and his BA in Government from Lawrence University.

At the conclusion of his talk, Hoffman and President Getz will lay a wreath at the feet of the Fallen Soldier, a traditional commemoration at the annual event. There will be a short reception afterwards.

Planning for this year's Celebration of Valor is being led by Veterans Services Coordinator Chris Popa. For more information, email him at [email protected].