student veteran

Hometown Hero – Scott Wegener

September 9, 2026

United States Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Scott Wegener was born in Lexington, Missouri, and he enlisted in the Army in July 2009. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and the 44 Charlie, Financial Management Technician course which is known today as the 36 Bravo Finance and Comptroller.

SFC Wegener’s first duty assignment was as a Pay Technician with the 125^th Financial Management Support Unit (FMSU) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii from 2010 to 2013. In 2010, he deployed to Kirkuk Airbase, Iraq “FOB Warrior,” conducting disbursing operations and deployed again in 2012 to Kandahar, Afghanistan as the Command Group Aide for the 45^th Special Troops Battalion. SFC Wegener’s next assignment was to the 176^th Financial Management Company in Camp Humphreys, Korea where he worked in Customer Service, Debt Management, and as the Special Actions Non-Commissioned Officer (NCOIC).

From 2014-2016, he was assigned to the 230^th Financial Management Detachment, serving in multiple roles as the Customer Service Section NCOIC, Squad Leader, and Operations NCOIC. Next, SFC Wegener was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from 2016-2019, serving as the Senior Financial Management Analyst for the United States Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization (USA-SATMO). He moved to Korea a second time from 2019-2020, assigned to the 19^th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) as the as the NCOIC and Senior Budget Analyst for 19^th ESC G8.

After his tour in Korea, SFC Wegener was assigned to Fort Jackson South Carolina where he worked in the Soldier Support Institute (SSI) as a Writer/Developer for the Finance and Comptroller School (FCS), writing for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and Senior Leaders Course (SLC). He later served as the Small Group Leader (SGL) for the 36B Senior Leader Course with the additional duty as the 369^th Adjutant General Battalion Equal Opportunity Leader. Most recently, SFC Wegener was assigned to 15^thCorps Finance Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas where he served as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment Sergeant and later the First Sergeant for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

Today, SFC Wegener is currently attending Syracuse University’s prestigious Defense Comptrollership Program, pursuing a dual masters at the Whitman School of Management for his MBA and Maxwell School for his Executive MPA.

Hometown Hero: Varun Gollapudi

September 5, 2026

United States Army Staff Sergeant and Syracuse University Student Veteran Organization President, Varun Gollapudi was born and raised in San Jose, California.

Azimuth Check Program Helps Student Veterans Stay on Course to Graduation

August 17, 2026

Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) is rolling out Azimuth Check, a new coaching program that connects student veterans and military-connected undergraduates with a dedicated Pathfinder Coach from the start of their academic journey through graduation.

Serving Twice: How 3 Student Veterans Became Researchers

August 4, 2026

Hunter Pyke ’27, Matthew Soukup ’27, and Varun Gollapudi ’27 spent eight weeks in research settings studying issues related to the mental health and well-being of veterans just like them.

Maxwell’s National Security Management Course Prepares Military Leaders

June 25, 2026

From international law to executive power, Maxwell’s national security studies program tackles the defining security questions of the moment.

The Orange Guidon – Episode 001: Scott Taylor (Admissions)

June 1, 2026

“We aren’t new to the student veteran game. We have been educating military veterans since the end of the first world war. It is in our DNA. It is who we are.”

Hometown Hero: Mackenzie Kirsch

November 9, 2025

U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Mackenzie Kirsch was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. In 2024, she graduated as the valedictorian of The New Mexico Military Institute. Mackenzie was commissioned from the Early Commissioning Program as a Second Lieutenant in the Vermont Army National Guard, where she is currently serving in the Judge Advocate General Corps office. As a cadet at the New Mexico Military Institute, she served as the Regimental Provost Marshal, Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Adjutant, and was on the Ranger Challenge Team. Her proudest achievements in the Army include completing the Norwegian Ruck march with her unit and being honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate.

Hometown Hero: Leonel Aviles ’26

October 31, 2025

United States Marine Corps veteran and Syracuse University student veterans Leonel Aviles was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Leo joined the United States Marine Corps in 2017, just two weeks after graduating high school. He attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina and completed Supply and Warehouse Specialist training at Camp Gilbert H. Johnson, North Carolina. As a Supply and Warehouse Specialist, Leo was responsible for keeping Marines equipped with all their equipment required to train and operate each day.

Student Veteran Anthony Ruscitto Honored as a Tillman Scholar

July 18, 2025

“Now what am I supposed to do with my life?” Veterans often face this question as they transition from active duty to civilian life. The thought terrified U.S. Marine Corps veteran Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, L’27 when he contemplated his future in the spring of 2019.

Congratulations to The 2025 Syracuse University Tillman Scholar Anthony Ruscitto

July 10, 2025

On July 10th, the new Pat Tillman Scholars were announced, and we are happy to congratulate Anthony Ruscitto ’22, G’23, L’27 as the Tillman Scholar for Syracuse University.

Tillman Scholars are provided academic scholarships, leadership development opportunities and access to a supportive national network as they embark on career journeys in the fields of health care, public service, business, STEM, law, the humanities and education.

The fellowship program honors Pat Tillman, a starting safety for the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals, who in 2002 put his football career on hold to serve his country with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Tillman’s family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman’s death in April 2004.

Syracuse University was invited to become a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner in 2017. To date, the University has seen 14 students honored as Tillman Scholars.