The U.S. Department of Defense has selected Kansas State University to serve as a national commemorative partner for  the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

K-State said the selection will be officially announced at the football game between the Wildcats and Texas Tech on Saturday night. The on-field presentation will include Major General Paul Funk, commanding general of the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley. In recognition of its soldiers and the university’s partnership with Fort Riley, it will also be Fort Riley Day at the game.

For the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the U.S. will commemorate the war with events from 2015-2017. Kansas State University is one of the few academic institutions invited to participate in anniversary events.

“Kansas State University si honored to serve in this capacity to commemorate the anniversary of the Vietnam War,” said Kirk Schulz, university president. “We will use our 150-year military tradition as well as a decade of recent experience serving our nation’s military to promote awareness, inform the current generation and honor those whose lives were effected most by this conflict.”

Schulz and retired Army Lt. Col. Art DeGroat, the university’s executive director of military and veterans affairs, have appointed retired Col. Mike McDermott, Manhattan, as chairman of the task force. He will develop and host a series of commemorative programs honoring the service and sacrifices of those who served in and out of uniform during the Vietnam War.

McDermott was an infantry soldier and served four tours with American and Vietnamese paratroop units during the Vietnam War. He is a Purple Heart recipient and one of the most highly decorated soldiers of that war.