05
February
2014
|
18:00 PM
America/New_York

The Ohio State University named Tillman Military Scholar University Partner

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State University has been selected by the Pat Tillman Foundation as a University Partner in its Tillman Military Scholars program. The program provides educational scholarships for veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses. As part of the Tillman Military Scholars program, Ohio State joins an elite network of institutions providing innovative support services to our nation’s veterans and their families.

University Partners are chosen based on their ability to meet criteria that include a culture of support for veterans across the institution, specific support services for veterans and a significant military/veteran enrollment.

In 2008, the Pat Tillman Foundation established the Tillman Military Scholars program to invest in military veterans and their spouses through educational scholarships - building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. Since its inception, 290 Tillman Military Scholars representing 34 states and attending 85 institutions nationwide have been awarded more than $4.6 million in scholarships to pursue degrees in medicine, law, business, government, education or the arts.

Ohio State is one of four universities to be named a Tillman Military Scholar University Partner this year. Others include the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Indiana University and Georgetown University.

The Tillman Military Scholars program will provide financial support to outstanding military and veteran students at our university,” said Ohio State interim president Joseph Alutto. “It is a distinct honor to receive national recognition for our efforts to create a supportive culture for our veteran and current military students. We are grateful to the Tillman Foundation for its generosity, leadership and support of this vital student population.”

More than 2,200 military and veteran students, and their family members, are enrolled at Ohio State. Mike Carrell, assistant provost and director of the a href="http://veterans.osu.edu/">Office of Military and Veteran Student Services, says Ohio State’s Tillman Military Scholars will continue to enhance the university’s reputation as a top college for veterans.

“Ohio State has so many resources for veterans,” Carrell said. “We are honored with this recognition of excellence by the Pat Tillman Foundation and are looking forward to offering these prestigious scholarships to our students. They know the meaning of what it means to serve and will represent this country and Ohio State now and in the future.

“Our nation’s veterans and military spouses are leadership assets for our country and local communities,” said Marie Tillman, president and co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “In the spirit of Pat’s legacy, we are proud to partner with The Ohio State University to help more student veterans and spouses realize their potential as our country’s next doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, teachers and artists.”

The Tillman Military Scholarship is open to all veteran and active duty service members and their spouses from all the branches of the military, including the National Guard and reserves. Applicants can seek assistance as either an undergraduate or graduate full-time student.

The 2014 application cycle opens Feb. 7 and closes March 6 at midnight CST at pattillmanfoundation.org. Ohio State’s Undergraduate Fellowship Office, housed in The University Honors & Scholars Center, will assist with recruiting applicants and advise students through the process.

Selection as a University Partner is the latest national honor for Ohio State’s military and veteran programs. The university was recently recognized as one of the most veteran-friendly universities in the country by Military Times magazine, and has been named one of the country’s top “Military Friendly Schools” for five consecutive years by G.I. Jobs magazine. In addition, Ohio State is one of the initial 50 universities nationwide to sign the “Got Your 6” pledge in cooperation with the Pat Tillman Foundation, Student Veterans of America and Operation College Promise.

Ohio State’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Services assists students with educational and academic resources. The office provides military and veteran orientations, focused academic counseling, tailored support services and the education of faculty and staff on military student issues.

Other Ohio State resources include a Veterans House (a housing option for students who are veterans, active-duty, reserves or National Guard), a veterans student organization and a program to support veterans by helping them gain job readiness experiences.

About The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University is a dynamic community of diverse resources, where opportunity thrives and where individuals transform themselves and the world. Founded in 1870, Ohio State is a world-class public research university and the leading comprehensive teaching and research institution in the state of Ohio. With more than 63,000 students (including 57,000 in Columbus), the Wexner Medical Center, 14 colleges, 80 centers and 175 majors, the university offers its students tremendous breadth and depth of opportunity in the liberal arts, the sciences and the professions.