TAMPA, Fla. — Grete Lenz said she was inspired to join the U.S. Air Force by her grandfather's service and witnessing the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.
Lenz, now pursuing a master's degree in nurse anesthesia from USF after serving seven years as a commissioned officer, was recently selected for a scholarship from the Pat Tillman Foundation.
"I was really excited to be a part of the people that are out there making a difference," Lenz said. "Pat Tillman to me is somebody who put service before self, above all else, and I think that's what the foundation represents."
The foundation provides academic scholarships, professional development opportunities and a national network of support to military service members, veterans and military spouses. The organization was named after Tillman, who was an NFL player who left his career to join the U.S. Army after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Lenz is the only student from a Florida university to receive a scholarship in this year's class of 60 Tillman scholars.
"He (Tillman) gave up that multi-million dollar contract with the NFL in order to serve because he felt he had to do something to serve his country," Lenz said. "My grandad would always say 'feel the fear and do it anyway.'"
Lenz said she expects to graduate from USF in December and wants to pursue a career working in a veterans affair hospital.
“Tillman Scholars are uniquely positioned to make an impact with effects that will ripple across communities and around the world,” Marie Tillman, board chair and co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation, said in a news release.
Lenz said the application process involved long interviews and essays on how her military service makes a difference.
“Grete is a very high-character individual, an outstanding student and a person with a strong commitment to service,” said Larry Braue, director of the USF Office of Veteran Success. “Her aspirations to help others through a career in nursing reflects why she is a great choice to represent the University of South Florida and the Tillman Foundation.”
The scholarship includes $11,000 to towards future schooling. Since the Tillman Scholars began in 2009, 18 USF students have received the award.
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