13th Annual ‘Pride of Our Nation… Pride of Our College’ Exhibition Honors Military Community
November 12, 2024
The 13th annual “Pride of Our Nation… Pride of Our College” exhibition, a display of military photographs and memorabilia submitted each year by faculty, staff and students, opened on Saturday, Nov. 9, in the Marvin Library Learning Commons at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. The opening reception will begin at 1 p.m., and the exhibition will remain on view through Friday, Dec. 20. There is no cost to attend.
Originally featuring just a handful of photographs, the exhibit has grown to include more than 100 images and keepsakes, both official “military issue” and personal. Every year, current students, faculty and staff submit photos and loan objects — ranging from dog tags and medals to historic documents and full uniforms — related to their own or relatives’ military careers. This year’s exhibition includes items from as far back as the Civil War through the present day.
This year’s “In Memoriam” wall honors Casey Frankoski, a U.S. Army pilot who tragically died with her team in a helicopter crash in Texas last March, as well as former HVCC Board Chairman Judge Conrad H. “Connie” Lang Jr., who died this past August.
According to Alice Malavasic, associate professor in the Department of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences, “Pride of Our Nation… Pride of Our College” is a collaborative effort involving employees from multiple departments and features an evolving collection of official and family photographs and memorabilia of veterans and active military service members with ties to the college.
“Hudson Valley Community College is proud to honor and remember those from our community who courageously served our country,” said Officer in Charge Louis Coplin. “This event and exhibition leave a lasting impression, and I encourage everyone to find a time to visit and learn more about those being honored and our nation’s history.”
The exhibition is on view in the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Atrium on the first floor of the Marvin Library through Friday, Dec. 20. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sunday. The library will also be closed Nov. 27-29. Admission is free.