TAMPA - The Pat Tillman Foundation has named Stephanie Bauman, a University of South Florida student and member of the U.S. Army Reserve, a 2018 Tillman Military Scholar.
Bauman is one of 60 military service veterans and military spouses from across the nation to earn the distinction.
The senior, pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics, received an $11,000 scholarship to complete her degree.
The Tillman Foundation recognizes individuals for their military service, leadership and academic excellence. This year's group will receive more than $1.3 million in scholarships to pursue higher education and continue their service in the fields of medicine, law, business, policy, technology, science, education and the arts.
"Stephanie has had an accomplished career in the Army Reserve that demonstrates the leadership, honor, dedication and sacrifice for country that Pat Tillman exemplified in service," said Larry Braue, director of the USF Office of Veteran Success and a retired U.S. Army veteran. "As a Tillman University partner, we are thrilled to count Stephanie as the 17th scholar in our cohort of Tillman Military Scholars at USF."
Bauman enlisted as a civil affairs operator in the Army Reserve in 1998 after graduating college with a bachelor's degree in legal studies. She avoided commissioning as an officer in order to gain experience as an enlisted soldier, which prepared her for a deployment to the Horn of Africa in 2003.
During a deployment to Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011, Bauman served as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in a medical evacuation company, risking her life to save others. Bauman remains active in the Army Reserve.
Reading Alice in Quantumland by Robert Gilmore, ignited Bauman's passion for physics in early 2015 and led her to enroll at USF, where she excels.
"As a physics researcher, I hope to put my education, skills and experiences to work in materials science to improve the lifecycle sustainability of building materials in order to help protect future generations by preserving the environment," Bauman said. "Thanks to the generosity of the Tillman Foundation, I will have the financial support to pursue this goal."
In 2002, Pat Tillman put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to enlist in the military. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman's death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan.
For more information about USF's Office of Veteran Success visit usf.edu/veterans.