Staff Sgt. Timothy Bowen said he built his career by honing his craft. For the past eight years, Bowen served in the U.S. Army and National Guard, including one year in Iraq. Bowen’s dedication continued as a materials science and engineering major at Penn State. While earning his degree, he worked at the Applied Research Lab and appeared on the dean’s list six times. Bowen is the 2018 recipient of the Outstanding Adult Student Award.

U.S. service members and veterans graduating May 6-8 at Penn State campuses will don, for the first time, military honor cords with their caps and gowns. The cords will be worn by undergraduate and graduate students who have honorably served, are serving or are commissioned to serve in the U.S. military. The military honor cords program was implemented to recognize students’ service to their country as well as their academic achievements.

U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Bryan Smith, a senior majoring in criminology, is the recipient of the 2016 Penn State Outstanding Adult Student Award. Smith—a native of Crestview, Fla.—was deployed for two years in Iraq before being accepted into the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program (MECEP). The program allows Smith to remain on active duty while being enrolled as a full-time student at University Park. Upon completion of his degree, he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant. Smith is a married father of two young children, serves as an adviser and trainer in the Navy ROTC program and is a volunteer in the State College community.