CU-Mansfield Hosts Veteran's Appreciation Luncheon, Awards $20,000 in Scholarships
Mansfield, PA (11/14/2025) — Commonwealth University-Mansfield hosted its annual Veterans' Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 6, at North Manser Dining Hall. At the event, $20,000 in scholarships were awarded to Mansfield student veterans, guard and reserve members, and military dependents through the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation.
The event was open to veterans and civilians on campus and in the community.
The Tioga County Honor Guard presented the colors, and junior music education major Rachel Wood sang the national anthem before Dr. Gretchen Sechrist, Mansfield campus administrator, provided the welcome.
The special guest speaker for the luncheon was Lt. Colonel Joe Rawson, who has served in the U.S. Air Force and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard for more than 35 years. Lt. Col. Rawson has served as an air crew member and airlift navigator for C-141 and C-130 Commando aircraft, air commando navigator instructor, and in other aircraft positions. He currently serves in the 193rd Air Operations Group in State College.
In his speech, Rawson shared what Veterans Day means to him. He highlighted the colleagues and friends created through his military career and the honor of representing the U.S. across five continents.
Dr. Jonathan Rothermel, Mansfield associate professor, Student Veteran Organization advisor, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, presented the recipients of the Mansfield Military Scholarships. Mansfield students receiving scholarships were:
- Autumn Border, Dauberville
- Regan Drasher, Selinsgrove
- Anthony Dunkel, Wellsboro
- Dan Keyser, Wellsboro
- Dylan Larick, Blossburg
- Caitlyn O'Brien, South Williamsport
- Aidric Passerallo, Tioga
- Gavin Ryan, Aaronsburg
- Nick Trapani, Millerton
- Annabelle Woodburn, Candor, N.Y.
Jason Welch, sergeant first class (Retired) and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education purchasing agent, explained the missing man table, a symbolic memorial to honor U.S. military service members who are prisoners of war (POW), missing in action (MIA), or have died in service.
To support military scholarships through the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation, visit mountaineerfdn.org.
Media Attachments
Student scholarship recipients, from left: Annabelle Woodburn, Candor, N.Y.; Anthony Dunkel, Wellsboro; Dylan Larick, Blossburg; Autumn Border, Dauberville; Gavin Ryan, Aaronsburg.
From left: Mansfield Campus Administrator Gretchen Sechrist, Lt. Colonel Joe Rawson, and Mansfield Professor Emeritus and Coordinator of Military & Veteran Affairs Roger Maisner.
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Eric Foster, Content and Production Specialist, efoster@commonwealthu.eduShare this Story
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