The Pat Tillman Foundation has selected Syracuse University as its 15th Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner. Syracuse joins 14 other University Partners, including Columbia University, George Washington University and Georgetown University. The selection process is by invitation only from the Pat Tillman Foundation.
“The staff, faculty and students of Syracuse University are committed to the success of military-connected students and their families,” says Marie Tillman, president and co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “In the spirit of Pat’s legacy, we are proud to partner with Syracuse to help more student veterans and spouses realize their potential as leaders of their communities and our country.”
Founded in 2004, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in the future of military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships—building a diverse community of leaders committed to serving others. Tillman Scholars are selected on the basis of their extraordinary academic and leadership potential, their true sense of vocation and their deep commitment to create positive change. As a University Partner, at least one Syracuse University student veteran each year is guaranteed to become a Tillman Scholar.
Pat Tillman during his football days
“The University is honored to be named as a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner,” says J. Michael Haynie, Syracuse University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). “The purpose and mission of the Tillman Foundation aligns well with Syracuse University’s commitment to be the best place for veterans, and we’re excited and honored about the opportunity to welcome our first Tillman Scholar to campus.”
The Tillman Scholars application will open Feb. 1, 2017, and will be due on March 1. Interested students should plan to work with Syracuse University’s Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (nationalscholarships.syr.edu) on their application materials. Students who have questions regarding the application process can contact Jolynn Parker at jmpark02@syr.edu.
In 2002, Tillman put his National Football League career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Tillman’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships—building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others.