COLLEGE STATION — Marisela Spangler, a junior animal science major from Tyler, has been selected as a Tillman Military Scholar for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Kathryn Hernandez, a psychology major from Burleson, also was selected as a scholar.

Spangler is a sergeant in the Army Reserves and has recently signed a contract as a Cadet to become a future officer in the United States Army. She is a member of Squadron 3 in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Last year she served as the gunnery specialist and this year will serve as a recruiting officer.

She also is active in CADET (Cultural Awareness and Diversity Expansion Team), the Voices of Praise gospel choir, Silent Voices of Praise mime/dance team, Save our Streets ministry and is a member of NAACP, Alpha Zeta and Sigma Alpha Lambda.

Texas A&M is one of 12 universities serving as a Tillman Military Scholar University Partner for the 2011-2012 academic year.

As a University Partner, each institution conducts outreach to its veteran and military dependent student population and actively participates in the Tillman Military Scholar selection process. Upon selection of the scholars on campus, each then supports the building and strengthening of community among these students, enhancing their academic and personal experiences.

In 2008, the Pat Tillman Foundation established the Tillman Military Scholars program to support educational opportunities for servicemembers and military families. Military families face many challenges during the transition from military to civilian life and have unique needs that often prevent the successful completion of a degree. The Pat Tillman Foundation aims to remove any and all obstacles that would otherwise prohibit academic success.

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