As part of the Penn State Altoona Distinguished Speaker Series, Major General Mark Graham (Ret.) and his wife Carol, will present at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Free tickets are available at the Penn State Altoona Bookstore and the Misciagna Center’s box office beginning Sept. 5.
The Grahams have dedicated their lives to tirelessly championing military and civilian efforts to promote mental health and suicide prevention awareness. In a program that coincides with National Suicide Prevention Month, they will discuss the loss of their two sons, Kevin from a PTSD-related suicide and Jeff, six months later, from an IED in Iraq.
Graham's numerous awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. In addition to his bachelor's degree in political science from Murray State University, he holds a Master of Arts in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University and a master's in national security and strategic studies from the National Defense University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College. Carol is a national board member of Suicide Prevention Action Network.
The event is being sponsored by The Division of Student Affairs, R.O.T.C., the Health Advisory Board Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Committee, the Office of Student Conduct, and Omega Delta Sigma, National Veterans Fraternity.