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The Military Order of the Purple Heart has designated the University of Arizona a Purple Heart University in recognition of the university’s support of military members, including veterans and their families.
The Purple Heart Medal, created by George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, is given to those wounded in combat or to their next of kin if they are killed in action or die from wounds received while in action. Nationally, the process of asking universities and colleges to be Purple Heart Universities started in 2015.
There are between 60 and 80 universities designated nationwide to date.
– Stacy Pigott, University of Arizona