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.
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Hometown Hero: Leonel Aviles ’26
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.
Continue ReadingStudent Veteran Anthony Ruscitto Honored as a Tillman Scholar
“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.
Continue ReadingCongratulations to The 2025 Syracuse University Tillman Scholar Anthony Ruscitto
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.
Rooted in Service: From Army Lawyer to Student Advocate
After years of legal service in the U.S. Army, Jaime Jacobson G’25 is continuing her commitment to public service through academia. Jacobson is currently a pursuing a master’s degree in higher education in the School of Education and draws a strong connection between her military experience and her future supporting college students.
Continue ReadingMarriler Wilson G’25 – Learning the Craft of Diplomacy
“Girl, go join the military.”
That’s what Marriler Wilson G’25 told herself before enlisting in the Air National Guard after struggling in college. “I honestly had no direction of where I wanted to go in my life,” Wilson says. “I decided I wanted to do something bigger than myself.”
Continue ReadingFrom Marine to Mentor: Jackson Capenos Champions Veteran Success at Syracuse University
For Jackson Capenos, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the University’s newest school certifying official with the Office of Veteran Success, life has been a journey shaped by resilience, hard work and an unwavering commitment to service.
Continue ReadingTillman Scholar Zahra Johnson G’25 Interview
U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Zahra Johnson G’25, a graduate student with the College of Arts at Sciences at Syracuse University, speaks about her experience in being selected as a Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Continue Reading2025 Tillman Scholar Applications Now Open
The Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) has officially opened applications for 2025 Tillman Scholars! The PTF unites and empowers remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self.
Continue ReadingCoded for Excellence: Jurgen Baeza Bernal ’26
Jurgen Baeza Bernal ’26 traveled a circuitous path to Syracuse University, but he’s finally cracked the code on what his future holds. Before arriving, the California native explored an array of interests at San Diego State University, served nearly seven years in the U.S. Navy and possessed a longtime fascination with computer coding. “When I was a teenager, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” he says. “But as I grew older and the military instilled discipline in me and gave me a sense of direction, I knew I should focus on what I wanted to do and my education when I got out.”
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