Bright and early, the Tillman Class of 2012 scurried over to Longfellow Elementary Schooll in Mesa for the awaited Basketball Beyond Barriers Event. BBB was a success! Approximately 90 students attended the camp and they were more excited than ever. The Tillman Scholars arrived promptly at 7:30 am to begin the set up. Basketball camp was to be held from 9 am to 4 pm with a huge lunch break at noon. The camp was divided into two sessions, K-3rd grade in the morning and 4th –6th grade in the afternoon. One by one, a mix of rowdy and excited students presented themselves. Although, basketball was the main focus, the Scholars tried to incorporate a life lesson throughout the day. Respect and bullying in schools was the core and the main theme of the event. For the primary levels, the children’s book, Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon was read to the youngsters as this book explored the uniqueness of a child. In the afternoon, the older students were involved in large group discussions and made, “Who I am” posters. At the end of the day, parents and students appreciated the effort of the team.  A very special thank you to Longfellow’s Principal Mr. Christensen, as he was a valuable asset to the event. We could not have done it without him!

2012 Tillman Scholars-ASU: (front row) Dorian Sanchez, Scott Bohmke, Monica Burba, Betsy Donahue; (back row) Chip Sarafin, Mark Sackley, Allie Oaks, Jenna Smith, Alex Zabaski, Connor Udasco and Gopi Karunamoorthy.

This past weekend I was able to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. While there, I was able to connect with Tillman Military Scholars Amanda Thomson, Elizabeth O’Herrin and Cameron Waites, and attend with fellow Tillman Scholar-ASU Tyler Eltringham.

TS-ASU Tyler Eltringham, TMS Amanda Thomson, TS-ASU Priya Nathan and TMS Cameron Waites arrive at GWU for CGI U.

The experience was beyond amazing and the Tillman Scholar presence was strong as it has been at the past four conferences. Over 1,000 students from all 50 states, 82 countries and more than 300 universities were in attendance this past weekend.

During the Saturday sessions, I attended a panel on Education Reform, which helped inform the direction I am heading next with a position in Teach for America. Other sessions followed the topics of climate change, poverty and global health. I also attended one of the offered skills session, this one on how to raise money for an idea/project.

Tillman Scholars-ASU Priya Nathan and Tyler Eltringham on campus at George Washington University.

CGIU is a great way for an individual who has an idea to turn that idea into action. All of the panels (featuring individuals such as Usher, Kristen Bell, Jon Stewart and Madeline Albright) were informative and helped to drive home the importance of any idea to change a community, no matter how big or how small. Plus, as attendees, we got to interact with President Clinton and learn about what he is doing to change the world after his service as our President.

TS-ASU Priya Nathan (left) serves alongside President Clinton at the CGI U Day of Service.

Not only did we attend the conference sessions, we snuck in some time for Georgetown Cupcakes and some sightseeing in our nation’s Capitol City. And participated in the CGI U Day of Service, where we had the opportunity to serve in D.C.’s Ward 7 alongside President Clinton, current NFL WRs and Rhodes Scholar and Army veteran Wes Moore.

Donté Stallworth (New England Patriots WR), Anthony Armstrong (Washington Redskins WR), TMS Elizabeth O'Herrin, Torrey Smith (Baltimore Ravens WR) and TS-ASU Priya Nathan at the CGI U Day of Service.

This weekend was an amazing trip with memorable experiences (I got to shake President Clinton’s hand and discuss his vegan diet!) and opportunities to connect with fellow Scholars around the country!

Visit the Pat Tillman Foundation Facebook page to see some more pictures.

Pints for Pat drew an overflow crowd of attendees, including Pat’s Run sponsors, media, Tillman Military Scholars, Tillman Scholars-ASU, Pat’s former Sun Devil football teammates, Team Tillman members and Pat Tillman Foundation staff who gathered to pay tribute to Pat.

As has become tradition, Rula Bula is selling 1,442 commemorative Guinness pint glasses with Pat’s number 42 etched on one side and a word that exemplifies Pat’s character and values on the other side. This year’s edition features the word “Courage.” The glasses are available exclusively at Rula Bula for $10 each while they last. All proceeds benefit the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Ken Kobs, a member of Team Tillman New York, checks out a Guinness Beach Cruiser at last week's Pints for Pat silent auction.

“Pints for Pat” also featured a silent auction that raised approximately $4,000 for the Tillman Military Scholars program.

Rula Bula was an establishment frequented by Pat during his time in Tempe. Following his death in 2004, some of Pat’s friends would order a pint of Guinness whenever they visited the pub and leave the pint sitting untouched on the bar as a tribute to Pat – thus the “Pints for Pat” idea was born.

The Pat Tillman Foundation will join dozens of veterans’ organizations and corporations to address the issue of veterans’ employment and talk through creative strategies to “empower America’s newest veterans.”

The Pat Tillman Foundation has a long standing relationship with the Clinton Global Initiative. Earlier this year, from April 1-3, Marie and several Tillman Military Scholars and Tillman Scholars-ASU attended the 4th Annual Clinton Global Initiative University at the University of California, San Diego. Tillman Scholars have attend all previous CGI U conferences.

Hunter I Riley, Kendra Smith, Catherine Turner, President Bill Clinton, Marie Tillman, Laura Kinahan and Ryan Reynolds at the 4th Annual CGI U. Photo courtesy of Barbara Kinney.

At CGI U 2011, Tillman Scholars joined students from around the world in developing “Commitments to Action” to address a pressing local, regional or global issue. In addition to supporting these commitments, Marie hosted an “Office Hours” session, presented commitment awards, talked about the PTF-CGI relationship for CGI Stories and served along side President Clinton at the San Diego Food Bank.

Marie Tillman serves alongside President Bill Clinton at the San Diego Food Bank. Photo courtesy of John Hanacek.

Watch Marie’s CGI  Stories conversation with CGI’s Amanda Chen here:

PTF-CGI relationship for CGI Stories

Thousands of participants lined the streets of Tempe on April 16, 2011 for the 7th Annual Pat's Run.

7th Annual Pat's Run Race Start

Amongst the crowd in gold were 26 of 111 Tillman Military Scholars who made the trip to Tempe to participate in this year’s Pat’s Run.

Tillman Military Scholars Bonnie Contreras (with daughter Kenya) and Patrick Nelson hold the Finish Line tape.

Pat’s teammate and former ASU and NFL quarterback, Jake Plummer, was the official race starter and participants were thrilled to see him back in sunny Arizona.

Official Race Starter and Pat's former Sun Devil and Cardinal teammate, Jake Plummer.

The 4.2 mile run/walk ends on the 42-yard line of Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, symbolic of the #42 jersey Pat wore while he was a Sun Devil football player. The event also featured a Kids Run where more than 2,300 children participated in a .42 mile race.

Pat's Run Kids Run Start

Through a partnership with the Arizona State University Alumni Association and with support from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 4.2 mile Pat’s Run Shadow Runs were held in 21 cities spanning from San Diego, California to Washington, D.C. Over 1,200 Pat Tillman Foundation supporters joined across the U.S. to shadow the run in Tempe.

San Francisco Shadow Run

In addition, over a thousand servicemembers participated in casual Troop Runs coordinated and organized by U.S. military in Afghanistan, El Salvador, England, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.

Kandahar Airfield Troop Run

More than $1 million was generated at the 7th Annual Pat’s Run which will directly support the Foundation’s mission to invest in veterans and their families through education and community.

Currently, the Pat Tillman Foundation is reviewing 1,242 applications submitted by deserving servicemembers and dependents during the 2011 online application process. In June, the Pat Tillman Foundation will pledge over a million dollars in scholarship support to the third class of Tillman Military Scholars.

To date, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested over $3.5 million in educational resources to support individuals committed to a life of service both in and out of uniform.

Estevan Astorga
Tina Cai
Tyler Eltringham
Brett Fitzgerald
Lauren Gillmore
Kathryn Gonzalez
Chris Gozo
Kira Hoover
Tyler Liss
Felicia Martinez
Ryan McCann
Kristell Millan
Praveen Nanja
Gunhee Park

The Tillman Scholars-ASU program celebrates Pat’s legacy and his extraordinary accomplishments and leadership as a student-athlete at ASU both on and off the field.

Over the next year plus, these students will take part in the Leadership Through Actionâ„¢ curriculum with Pat Tillman Foundation Distinguished Professor Michael Mokwa at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business. Their course work focuses on three interrelated themes: personal development, everyday leadership and social action. This leadership development, service-learning and social entrepreneurial curriculum challenges students to become leaders and promote positive changes in their communities. At the end of an intensive course of study, students put their knowledge and skills into action through service projects in their community. This experience also exposes students to an array of business and civic leaders through group service projects and a network of mentors and role models.

Congratulations to the the 6th class of Tillman Scholars-ASU!

After presenting their project idea and plan in the final round of the challenge to a panel of judges, Priya and Nikki were publicly acknowledged as grant recipients late last week.

ASU’s Innovation Challenge is a funding opportunity for ASU students looking to make a difference in the local and global communities.

Read more about Priya and Nikki’s success and other ASU Innovation Challenge grant recipients in this article.

Tillman Scholars-ASU with former ASU Sun Devil Juan Roque and PTF Distinguished Professor Michael Mokwa. (LtoR) Ashley Mentzer, Shruti Shukla, Gabby Kissinger, Julie Westerbeck, Louie Weimer, Fedy Bryner, Katy Lichtsinn, Bryan Tom, Veronica Esquivel,
Hillary Bach, Alexa Goldman, Amy Schellhase and Jeffrey Lam.

Both Doug and Juan shared personal stories and favorite memories of their interactions with Pat, with the common theme being that Pat led through his actions and made an impact on every individual he met.

Artwork by Mike Sullivan in the Tillman Tunnel at ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium
(the football team’s entrance onto the field).

At the conclusion of this inspirational program, Tillman Scholars-ASU and their mentors were invited to visit the ASU football locker room and Tillman Tunnel.

Some have already secured jobs in their chosen fields, others are looking for their next great challenge, all are ready to go into the world and make a difference.

Congratulations to each of you from everyone at the Foundation and your community of fellow Scholars.

Tillman Military Scholars – 2009-2010 Class

1. Staff Sergeant Melody Corbitt, Mississippi State University
2. First Lieutenant Sara Rose Knox, Mississippi State University
3. Seaman Amy McNish, Mississippi State University
4. Sergeant Rathal Frank Wills, Mississippi State University
5. Sergeant David Boucher, University of Maryland
6. Petty Officer Second Class Dan Hardisty, University of Maryland
7. Lance Corporal Anton Hoffman, University of Maryland
8. Staff Sergeant Dennis Robinson, University of Maryland
9. Specialist Tracy Dustin Curtis, University of Arkansas
10. Specialist Lucas Finch, University of Arkansas
11. Corporal Peter Hilton, University of Arkansas
12. Staff Sergeant Joshua Stewart, University of Arkansas
13. Bonnie Contreras, University of Idaho
14. First Lieutenant V. Aaron Contreras, University of Idaho
15. Sergeant Lyndsey Anderson, New York University
16. Sergeant Don Gomez, City College of New York
17. Kendra Smith, University of Oklahoma
18. Petty Officer Second Class Gregory Trujillo, Lubbock Christian University
19. Amy Rowland, Capella University

Tillman Scholars – Arizona State University

Class 2006-2007

1. Ryan McBride
2. Shirlene Yee

Class 2007-2008

1. Nikki Candela
2. Michelle Dayton
3. Danielle Orsillo
4. Lissa Regets
5. Sarah Stevens
6. Steve Thompson

In attendance: Tillman Scholars-ASU Laura Kinahan, Jackie Smith, Nikki Lewis, Priya Nathan, Christien Crynes and Taxi Wilson; Mentors Steve Bast and Iain Hamp; Professor Michael Mokwa; PTF Director of Programs Hunter I Riley.