UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus distributed challenge coins during the University’s annual Military Appreciation football game on Saturday, Nov. 8.
A challenge coin is a metal coin featuring a unique design used to recognize individuals in the military community. The coin represents how the recipient has played a significant role on or off the battlefield. Penn State has distributed challenge coins to Military Appreciation Tailgate attendees on game day since 2015.
The coins were distributed by representatives from Penn State World Campus, the University’s online campus, at the Military Appreciation Tailgate inside the Bryce Jordan Center. The tailgate included food, drinks, entertainment, and a veteran resource fair for service members and their families before kickoff against Indiana University.
The 2025 coin’s design features gameday opponent information and a field of blue with white stars. There are three variations of the medal — one for the Army, one for the Air Force, and one for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Each version has 13 stars aligned on a blue background.
Penn State Military Appreciation Week
This year’s Penn State Military Appreciation Week centered around highlighting service members and the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of those awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military recognition.
Penn State also recognized 1998 graduate and Navy SEAL LT. Michael P. Murphy, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor in 2007. He was the first member of the Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War. Murphy was killed in Afghanistan in 2005 during Operation Red Wing.
Penn State first launched Military Appreciation events in 2012 and has grown the celebration each year. The University supports military students, faculty, staff and alumni through a wide range of programs and initiatives that aid their educational and professional service.