UW Students Selected for Prestigious Tillman Military Awards

June 19, 2012

Three University of Wyoming students have been named Tillman Military Scholars for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Lisa Ohnstad, a doctoral pharmacy/executive MBA candidate from Weston, is a new recipient of the award. She enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard and recently was commissioned second lieutenant in the Wyoming Air National Guard.

Ohnstad is among 59 students from 1,280 applicants nationwide selected for a Tillman Military Scholarship.

Two other UW student are continuing scholars for the coming school year: Meghan Lucas, (Navy), international relations/political science, Wichita, Texas; and Robert Niezwaag, (Army), master's degree candidate in social work, Riverton.

UW is one of 14 universities serving as Tillman Military Scholar University Partners for the coming school year. University partners are selected based on their innovative service member-specific support services and proven culture of community for military families.

“I am proud of our scholars and our association as a Tillman Military Scholar Partner. No doubt our scholars will persevere in their educational endeavors and continue on to make a positive mark in their career fields,” says Marty Martinez, the UW Veterans Services Center’s new project coordinator. “The Tillman Foundation provides a wonderful opportunity for our veterans and military spouses.”

As a university partner, each institution provides outreach services to its veteran and military dependent student population, and actively participates in the Tillman Military Scholar selection process. After selecting scholars, each partner then supports building and strengthening of community among the students to enhance their academic and personal experiences.

Four years ago, the Pat Tillman Foundation established the Tillman Military Scholars program to support educational opportunities for service members and military families by bridging the financial gaps left by the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The scholarships cover not only tuition and fees, but also areas such as housing and child care.

The Tillman scholars program honors former Arizona Cardinals defensive back Pat Tillman. In 2002, Tillman put his NFL career on hold to serve his country. Following Tillman's death in 2004, while serving with the 75th Army Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan, his family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation that invests in veterans and their families through education, community and advocacy.

During the past four years, the foundation has awarded more than $3.2 million in scholarship funds to 230 Tillman Military Scholars pursuing education -- from freshmen undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates. Scholars represent 71 different institutions from 34 states.

For more information about the scholarship and UW's Veterans Services Center, contact Martinez at (307) 766-6909 or email mmarti77@uwyo.edu.

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