Three students at the University of Oregon have been selected as Tillman Military Scholars by the Pat Tillman Foundation.

Two new Military Scholars, Ethan Rocke, majoring in journalism and mass media, and Matthew Garretson, a human physiology major, will join renewing scholar Brian Loftus, a law student, at the UO for the annual scholarship program.

Tillman Military Scholarships assist with costs for tuition, fees, books and additional expenses that could be barriers to reaching academic goals.                           

The Pat Tillman Foundation was established by family and friends following Tillman’s death in 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. The foundation honors his legacy as a national leader by providing educational support and resources to veterans, active‐duty service members and their spouses.

Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $9 million in educational support has been invested in individuals committed to a life of service both in an out of uniform, including nearly $4.1 million awarded to 290 Tillman Military Scholars nationwide.

The UO provides support services to military veterans and family members and is one of the Tillman Military Scholar University Partners for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Scholarship recipients must maintain academic standards and are expected to contribute service in their local communities.

Garretson, from Chantilly, Va., served in the Army. He will begin his studies at the UO this fall.

He has been awarded $10,000 per year for two years and will use his funding to supplement a nursing assistant certification, as well as pay for rent and life expenses.

“[The scholarship] allows me to attend the University of Oregon without having to take out loans and go into debt,” he said. After graduating, he plans to earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies and practice medicine.

Rocke, from Ione, Cal., served in the U.S. Marine Corps and has been awarded $10,000 for one year. The scholarship will enable Rocke to fund production of his terminal project for his master's degree in multimedia journalism.

Long inspired by Tillman's character and strength of conviction, he said, “to be associated with his legacy through my selection as a Tillman Military Scholar is very humbling and an amazing honor for me.”

- by Aria Seligmann, UO Office of Strategic Communications