First Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress visits SFU campus
On October 2, 2023, Fr. Malachi Van Tassell was pleased to host the Honorable Patrick J. Murphy on a visit to campus. Murphy served as the first Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress, representing the Eighth Congressional District of Pennsylvania from 2007-2011 and was later appointed by President Barack Obama as the 32nd Under Secretary of the Army. During his visit, Murphy shared his expertise on national security as well as his experiences with leadership and service with students in the Cybersecurity major and ROTC cadets from SFU, IUP and UPJ.
Patrick has served our nation in one role after another—as a soldier, as America’s first Iraq War veteran elected to the U.S. Congress, and as the 32nd Under Secretary of the Army. Today, as an entrepreneur and advocate, Patrick harnesses the power of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to help veterans find jobs, start businesses, and secure quality health care and mental health services.