Texas A&M Selected As A Tillman Partner

Texas A&M University has been selected to be a partner in the Tillman Military Scholars Program, which provides educational scholarships for veterans and active-duty service members and their families. The scholarship program was founded by the Pat Tillman Foundation in memory of Pat Tillman, who turned down a contract to play professional football for the Arizona Cardinals in favor of joining the Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America.

“We pride ourselves at Texas A&M on our record of attracting veterans and currently active-duty military personnel to our university and serving them well while they are studying here,” said Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin. “It is with great pride that we join the Tillman Military Scholars Program, which honors the memory of a fine young man who gave his life in service to his country. Our ongoing commitment to the young men and women who serve our country with distinction in military service is a natural extension of our proud military heritage.”

Loftin also noted that Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets continues to provide more officers for the U.S. military than any institution other than the service academies.

Texas A&M is one of four universities selected as a Tillman Military Scholars university partner for the 2010/2011 academic year. The Pat Tillman Foundation has partnered with these institutions because they are leaders in military support services to student veterans, active service members and their families on campus, emphasized a foundation spokesperson. Each university partner also helps circulate information and educate eligible students about the Tillman Military Scholar program.

“We are honored to partner with the Pat Tillman Foundation and bring this opportunity to veterans and their dependents attending Texas A&M University,” said Joseph Pettibon, assistant provost for scholarships and financial aid. “Pat Tillman’s story has impacted many lives, especially those who have made the sacrifice to serve our country through the military. We are privileged to be a small part of it.”

In 2009 the Pat Tillman Foundation established the Tillman Military Scholars Program, dedicated to supporting educational opportunities for service members and their families by filling the financial gaps in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The Tillman Military Scholars program covers direct study-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, room and board and other basic needs, including child care.

The Pat Tillman Foundation awarded $642,000 in 2009 to the inaugural class of 52 Tillman Military Scholars pursuing education at every level, from freshman undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates. All 52 scholars are connected by their intense desire to improve their own lives while continuing to serve their country and communities in a variety of ways.

Overall, the first class of Tillman Military Scholars represents 21 different universities across 16 states – Alabama, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The foundation’s goal for the Tillman Military Scholars Program is to award annually $3.6 million in scholarship funds to veteran and active-duty service members and their families.

This amount represents Pat’s NFL contract with the Arizona Cardinals, which he turned down in order to join the armed forces and serve his country after the 9/11 tragedy.

The need for support is great, the foundation representative stressed, pointing out that each year more than 300,000 men and women complete their military service and return to school or work. More than 1.8 million veterans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. More than 1 million children have had a parent deployed since Sept. 11, 2001.

The Pat Tillman Foundation is a national leader in providing educational support and resources to veterans, active service members and their dependants. The Tillman Military Scholars program aids all veterans and specifically the ever-growing population of veterans and dependents of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

Inspired by the distinguished life and legacy of Pat Tillman – professional athlete, military hero and a man of strong character and kindness – the Pat Tillman Foundation is building a community of scholars dedicated to improving their own lives, the lives of their families and their country by creating a spirit of service.

Applications are available at https://veterans.tamu.edu with a deadline of April 26. For more information about the Pat Tillman Scholarship, contact Sarah Minnis at (979) 458-5342.  For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation, visit www.pattillmanfoundation.org.

Contact: Tura King, News & Information Services, at (979) 845-4670 or  or Lindsay Gasek, Scholarships & Financial Aid, at (979) 458-5352 or