Honoring Veterans with Third Annual Veterans Day Celebration
Friday, October 9, 2026
Seton Hall University will mark Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with
its third annual Veterans Day Celebration, bringing together students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the University
community to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
The celebration will take place in the University Center Event Room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature a keynote address by Seton Hall alumnus and Navy SEAL Master Chief Jonathan Bertera ’04, followed by a Veteran Voices panel featuring special guests and members of Seton Hall.
Doors for the celebration ceremony will open at 10:30 a.m., with refreshments provided. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., followed by Bertera’s keynote at 11:30 a.m. The Veteran Voices panel, “Stories of Service,” will begin at 12:15 p.m.
Hearing From Those Who Served
Bertera, a 2004 Seton Hall graduate, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2005. He went on to become a Navy SEAL and served in operational deployments to Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Chad/Uganda. Most recently, he served as the command master chief of SEAL Team Eight. He is now a fellow at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership.
His military service has been recognized with numerous decorations, including the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. During his keynote, Bertera will share reflections from his military career and his work in ethical leadership.
Following the keynote, the “Stories of Service” Veteran Voices panel will offer another opportunity to hear directly from veterans about their experiences in the armed forces and their transitions into civilian life and higher education. The panel will be moderated by Father James A. Hamel, M.A. ’88, alumni chaplain in University Advancement and a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Panelists include distinguished alumnus Maj. Gen. Edward J. Chrystal, M.S.S., U.S. Army, retired; Jon Paparsenos ’99, vice president of University Advancement and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran; Reverend Colin Kay, M.Div. ’05, vice president for Mission and Ministry and a U.S. Army veteran; Brendan Balestrieri, Ph.D., professor of practice in the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and a U.S. Army veteran; Timothy Awojobi, M.P.A., a Seton Hall graduate student and U.S. Air Force veteran; and Alejandro Carrada Osorio, a Seton Hall undergraduate student and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
“Veterans bring experiences of service, leadership and resilience that continue to enrich the Seton Hall community,” said Jon Paparsenos. “Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces and to listen to their stories. We are grateful to our veterans for all they have sacrificed in service to our country and communities.”
A Campuswide Day of Remembrance
In addition to the ceremony and panel, Seton Hall will offer several opportunities throughout the day for members of the University community to participate in the observance.
The University will host Veterans Day Masses at 8 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Members of the community can also sign a “Thank a Veteran” banner throughout the day and help decorate the University Green with American flags.
“Veterans Day is a time to reflect on and honor the contributions of those who have served in our nation’s armed forces,” said Christopher Cuccia, associate provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs. “The veterans in our graduate community bring tremendous leadership, resilience and a spirit of service to Seton Hall. Their experiences and perspectives enrich our University and the broader graduate community.”
The activities build on Seton Hall’s annual tradition of recognizing the contributions of veterans across the University community. Last year’s second annual celebration featured a ceremony, a keynote address by Vietnam veteran Robin Bartlett, opportunities for students and community members to leave messages of thanks and additional programming focused on veterans’ experiences.
Seton Hall’s 2026 Veterans Day observance is a collaborative effort involving University offices and organizations across campus. The University invites the Seton Hall community to participate in the day’s activities and join in honoring the veterans who have served the United States.
For more information and to register for the Veterans Day Celebration, visit the Seton Hall Veterans Day event page.
Categories: Campus Life, Nation and World
