Graduate student Katy Quartaro ‘18, G’20, an executive master of public administration candidate in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has been named the 2019 Tillman Scholar for Syracuse University. She joins an elite class of 60 U.S. service members, veterans and military spouses chosen this year from across the nation that will receive more than $1.2 million in scholarship funding to pursue higher education degrees from the Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF).
“This class of Tillman Scholars, like those before them, have shown exceptional potential to bring their unique experiences of service to bear on the challenges and opportunities that face our country today,” says Dan Futrell, CEO of PTF. “They now join a community that will not only maximize, but amplify their impact.”
“Tillman Scholars are uniquely positioned to make an impact with effects that will ripple across communities and around the world,” said Marie Tillman, Board Chair and Co-Founder of PTF. “We are proud and excited to announce the 2019 class, and are looking forward to seeing how this incredible group of people makes their mark in the years to come.”
Katy joined the Marine Corps after graduating from high school in 2008. She witnessed the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures while deployed in the Southern Philippines and took advantage of numerous opportunities to experience different facets of the Military Police field training as a Military Working Dog handler and conducting installation security, counterterrorism, and Presidential support missions. In 2013, Katy became a Criminal Investigator for the Marine Corps. Before her honorable discharge in 2016, Katy conducted and assisted in over one hundred criminal investigations. Coordination with federal agencies like the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation inspired her to be a part of something bigger. Katy enrolled at Syracuse University and completed bachelor’s degrees in forensic science and psychology in 2018. She is currently pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration with a focus on International and National Security Policy and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Security Studies at Syracuse University. After completing her master’s degree, she plans to work in an intelligence agency to inform national security policies.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as a Tillman Scholar, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to represent Syracuse University and the Pat Tillman Foundation in the coming year and beyond,” says Quartaro. “To be a Tillman Scholar means I get to be a part of an outstanding network of some of the best and brightest future leaders in the country. I am blown away by the caliber of the men and women I will be able to connect with, and look forward to learning from them as I work toward my goal of supporting and improving American national security. I hope I can make my Orange family proud and honor Pat’s legacy of selfless service and leadership to make an impact during my remaining time at Syracuse University and after graduation.”
“In her time at Syracuse, Katy has consistently personified the strength, character, excellence and passion for which Tillman scholars are known. We could not be more proud to celebrate her selection as a Tillman Scholar,” says Michael Haynie, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and Executive Director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. “Syracuse University has a storied tradition of service to the nation’s veterans and their families, and our partnership with the Tillman Foundation add to that legacy. To now add Katy to the roster of Tillman Scholars at Syracuse University is a testament to Katy’s character and academic achievement, and also serves to affirm and extend our University’s commitment to being the best place for veterans and their families.”
In 2002, Pat Tillman was a starting safety for the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals. He put his football career on hold to serve his country and died in April 2004 while serving with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Following his death, family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation which invests in military veterans and their spouses through scholarship and programmatic support, and is dedicated to building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others.
Founded in 2008, the program supports active-duty service members, veterans and their spouses with academic scholarships, a national network and professional development opportunities, so they are empowered to make an impact at home and around the world. The scholarship program covers direct study-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books and living expenses, for scholars who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degrees as a full-time student at a public or private, U.S.-based accredited institution. The selection process for the Tillman Scholars program is highly competitive.
Each year, the foundation collaborates with 15 University Partners to identify and select qualified applicants on their campuses for the Tillman Scholar screening process. Now in its third year as a University partner, Syracuse University was selected for its innovative veteran services, strong culture of support for military veterans and spouses and its rigorous academic programs.
To date, PTF has invested more than $18 million in academic support, and named over 600 Tillman Scholars at over 100 academic institutions nationwide.