University of Missouri student veterans named Pat Tillman Scholars

University of Missouri System

June 29, 2017
Mizzou law student and UMSL engineering major are the only students from Missouri to receive the prestigious academic scholarship in 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two University of Missouri students are among the 60 student veterans selected to the 2017 class of Pat Tillman Scholars. Paul Wade, Army veteran, member of the Missouri National Guard and University of Missouri law student; and Heath McClung, Army veteran and University of Missouri-St. Louis engineering student, each received the award.

Every year, the Pat Tillman Foundation receives thousands of applications from military veterans and their spouses. Only 60 of the best-poised leaders, who show strength in character, academic excellence and potential, are chosen as Tillman Scholars. Wade and McClung are the only scholars from Missouri universities in the 2017 class.

“The Pat Tillman Scholars program is one of the most prestigious awards for our nation’s student veterans,” said Mun Choi, president of the UM System. “This year, 60 scholars were named from an applicant pool of thousands. As Tillman Scholars, Paul and Heath are representing our nation’s very best, right here in Missouri.”

Wade graduated from Glenwood High School in Chatham, Illinois, and received his undergraduate degree from Truman State University. In the Army, Wade served in three combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now a full-time law student at MU, Wade spends his free time volunteering with Team RWB, a community organization aimed at enriching the lives of America’s veterans. Previously, Wade served as vice-president of Mizzou Law Student Veterans Association. He also has participated in the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, where law students can practice their legal skills helping veterans with legal issues connected to their service.

“As a veteran, I don’t believe myself to be any better than my civilian classmates, but I recognize that my experiences are drastically different from many other people attending law school,” Wade said. “The Pat Tillman Foundation ...

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