Three Syracuse University Students Named 2024 Tillman Scholars

Three exceptional Syracuse University student veterans—Benetta Dousuah G’25, Jude Akpunku, and Zahra Johnson G’25—were recognized as 2024 Tillman Scholars by the Pat Tillman Foundation.

The award unites and empowers remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Dousuah, Akpunku and Johnson were selected out of nearly 1,600 applicants.

Tillman Scholars are provided academic scholarships, leadership development opportunities and access to a supportive national network as they embark on career journeys in the fields of health care, public service, business, STEM, law, the humanities and education.

The fellowship program honors Pat Tillman, a starting safety for the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals, who in 2002 put his football career on hold to serve his country with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Tillman’s family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman’s death in April 2004.

Syracuse University was invited to become a Pat Tillman Foundation University Partner in 2017. To date, the University has seen 13 students honored as Tillman Scholars.

You can read more about this year's recipients in this news story: https://veterans.syr.edu/news/2024-tillman-scholars/