Monday, November 17, 2025
photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor, and Rob Hinkal, social media specialist, except as credited
An induction ceremony for Penn College’s chapter of SALUTE, a national veterans honor society, included (from left) Chet Beaver (assistant director of student advocacy for veteran and military resources), inductees Dejah L. Greene, Megan K. Smith, Alan D. Dyer, Cassandra Guiffre, Jesse R. Knell, Noah F. Isabell and Michael A. Cruz, Cadence J. Copson (president of the Penn College SALUTE chapter) and Michael J. Reed (college president).
Nine students – representing a variety of majors – comprise the 2025 class of inductees to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s chapter of SALUTE, a national veterans honor society.
“The Penn College chapter of the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society has been an important part of our campus community for the past four years. It’s the only national honor society dedicated to recognizing and honoring the service and academic achievement of student veterans,” explained Chet Beaver, assistant director of student advocacy for veteran and military resources.
SALUTE was formed in 2009 by the Colorado State University Veterans Office with a grant from the American Council of Education and the Walmart Foundation. It has 400 active chapters, and over 20,000 student veterans have been inducted.
“The honor society provides a network of support, recognition and opportunity for those who have served,” Beaver said. “The Penn College chapter continues this mission by fostering a strong community of veteran scholars and leaders. Together, they help strengthen our campus by inspiring excellence and promoting unity among all students at Penn College.”
Welcomed at the recent ceremony in the presentation room of the Davie Jane Gilmour Center were:
Air Force:
Dejah L. Greene, of Williamsport, information assurance & cyber security
Jesse R. Knell, of Vandergrift, forest technology
Army National Guard:
Kyle M. Cabry, of York, aviation maintenance technology
Cassandra Guiffre, of Williamsport, residential construction technology and management
Megan K. Smith, of Quakertown, emergency management & homeland security
Marines:
Michael A. Cruz, of Mechanicsburg, heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology
Alan D. Dyer, of State College, residential construction technology and management
Noah F. Isabell, of Danville, aviation technology
Dakota M. Snyder, of Muncy Valley, electronics & computer engineering technology
Penn College President Michael J. Reed served as the guest speaker for the induction ceremony.
Including this year’s inductees, the Penn College chapter of SALUTE has 52 members.
The Rock is painted to symbolize the college's gratitude for those who serve.
Veterans commune in the Keystone Dining Room on Veterans Day. From left: Keanu Bunting, of Williamsport, biomedical sciences; Michael A.Cruz, of Mechanicsburg, architecture and heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology; Alan D. Dyer, of State College, residential construction technology & management; Chet Beaver, assistant director of student advocacy for veteran and military resources; Steven M. Laity, of Nanticoke, emergency management & homeland security; and Alex N. Hernandez, of Pittsburgh, construction management. Photo by Katie C. Burke
Penn College welcomed student, employee and alumni veterans to a brunch. The Veterans Brunch has served as a culminating event for the college’s Veterans Week for the past three years.
Michael A. Cruz, pursuing degrees in architecture and heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology, addresses the brunch gathering. During the annual event, students present the Penn College Veteran Student Success Award, which this year was given to President Michael J. Reed (who was unable to attend the brunch but received the award earlier in the week).
Veterans attending the brunch, from left: Ernest Irvin ’74; Chet Beaver ’17, assistant director of student advocacy for veteran and military resources; Nicholas W. Bova, of Williamsport, applied management; Gary Smith ’63; Walter J. Shultz ’04, director of educational and emerging technologies; Katie C. Burke, coordinator of student advocacy/veteran support and prevention education; John P. Kimport, of Camp Hill, residential construction technology & management; Cadence J. Copson, of Jersey Shore, nursing; Randy McCauley ’87; Cassandra Guiffre, of Williamsport, residential construction technology & management; Michael A. Cruz, of Mechanicsburg, architecture and heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology; Justin J. Honan, of Williamsport, industrial design; Keanu Bunting, of Williamsport, biomedical sciences; and Alan D. Dyer, of State College, residential construction technology & management.
An round table, with a place setting for one, a single red rose, and other symbols, honors fallen comrades.
Since the Marine Corps' birthday falls on the day before Veterans Day, it has become tradition to celebrate that occasion at the brunch, too. Following Marine Corps custom, the youngest Marine in the room (Bova) serves the first piece of cake to the eldest Marine present (Cruz).
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