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.

TMS Roel Mora, Brian Wotring and Caleb Lesselles support fellow TMS Liz O'Herrin during the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon.

Out on the courses to cheer them on were Tillman Military Scholars and Pat Tillman Foundation staff members – showing appreciation for the marathoners and carrying them through the race with encouragement. The following Tillman Military Scholars also joined the ranks of Team Tillman marathoners:

Steve Buchanan, Bank of America Chicago Marathon: 4:26:58

Elizabeth O’Herrin, Marine Corps Marathon: 5:29:31

Michael Trent, ING New York City Marathon: 3:06:41

Marisela Spangler and sons

Tillman Military Scholar and Texas A&M junior Marisela Spangler took her three sons on a tour describing her experience on 9/11 and why she was compelled to join the Army. The tour took them to the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station to attend a 9/11 ceremony and ended it at home to color paper flags in remembrance of our freedom and of our country’s sacrifice.

Rachel Ericksen, Tillman Military Scholar at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, spent the day volunteering with Civil Air Patrol (CAP) at the Guardians of Freedom Air Show hosted by the Nebraska Air National Guard. Rachel is the Safety Officer for the 155th Composite Squadron.

Rachel Ericksen (R) ande 155th Composite Squadron Cadet Commander Joseph Stellato (L) were at the air show site early to help get everything set up for the Lost Child Program.

Tillman Military Scholar Rich Blake participated in the Baltimore 9/11 Run to Remember 5K and on the opposite coast, Tillman Military Scholar Tara DeBraber ran a 5K in commemoration as well. In Washington, D.C., Tillman Military Scholar Elizabeth O’Herrin passed meals out to the homeless.

Columbia University Tillman Military Scholars Cormick Wong and Rudy Rickner spent their day of service volunteering with The Mission Continues in collaboration with NYCares. The Scholars assembled Go-Bags, emergency kits that will be distributed to NYC residents this month as part of National Preparedness month. After assembling the kits, the Scholars rolled up their sleeves and painted the outside playground area of Nathan Strauss elementary school in lower Manhattan.

To meet the peers of these Tillman Military Scholars and see the impact they are making on this nation, or to read more about the legacy of Pat Tillman, follow the Pat Tillman Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

As any Tillman Military Scholar can tell you, the transition from servicemember to student isn’t always an easy one. Foregoing the difficult but often constant rigors of military life, not to mention leaving behind close-knit relationships forged through shared hardships in favor of academic pursuits, can leave veterans struggling to cope with their new identities. Feelings of alienation manifest, negatively affecting the veteran’s performance in the classroom.

While those in the veteran community can relate, the sentiment is often lost among college administrations trying to discover the difficulties veterans experience when making the transition from combat to college.

Fortunately, groups across the country are making efforts to increase understanding of the veteran’s campus experience. On Thursday, December 9th, three Tillman Military Scholars participated in such an effort.

Antoinette Bardunias, Elizabeth O’Herrin and Rich Blake traveled from their respective universities along the east coast to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to serve as veteran panelists for the Mid-Atlantic Career Counseling Association (MACCA) “Combat to College” discussion at the group’s 40th Annual Conference. For two hours, the scholars answered questions from an audience of guidance counselors, offering valuable insight into the difficulties they experienced transitioning from the military to college.

“It was extremely rewarding to be a part of the Combat to College panel and see so many wonderfully, compassionate people not only acknowledging the difficulties of veterans returning to school, but making efforts to better their transitions,” said Antoinette. “I hope that future panels will be held and more schools will become involved.”

Elizabeth commented: “Career counselors are in a position to provide a lot of help to veterans both while they are in school, and as they transition from school to civilian jobs. It was great to be able to talk with them about the strengths and experiences of veterans on their campuses. I think the vast majority of campus administrators and faculty have the best interests of veterans at heart, and it was great to be able share my experience with them.”

Rose Howard, the MACCA Vice-President and conference coordinator, was so impressed by the Scholars’ presentation that she’s inviting the them to participate in another panel in March 2011.

“The Combat-to-College Panel at the Mid-Atlantic Career Counselors Association conference was a great opportunity to put the transitioning veterans’ story into the hands of professionals on the frontlines of veteran reintegration,” said Rich. “Understanding how to use the individual military experience to guide the veteran in their pursuit of higher education is crucial to ensure that veterans choose a career track that is aligned with their interests and experiences.”