By: Brian Bigelow
TEXT AS PUBLISHED:
The new APSU Student Veterans Organization is re-establishing a $1,000 scholarship in honor of Army 1st Lt. Richard Torres, the first APSU alumnus to die in combat during the Iraq War.
The Student Veterans Organization is also arranging events around campus on Wednesday, Oct. 6 to commemorate the seven year anniversary of Torres’ death.
“The inspiration for the scholarship came from the chapter members of the APSU Student Veterans Organization after learning the story of … Torres’ death,” said David Ward, chapter events officer of the APSU Student Veterans Organization.
Torres joined the Army upon graduating from high school in 1996 and graduated with honors from APSU in 2002 with a double major in history and political science.
Torres was killed at the age 25 by an improvised explosive device when his convoy was attacked near Baghdad, Iraq on Oct. 6, 2003.
At the time of his death, Torres had attained the rank of 2nd Lt. and was posthumously promoted to the rank of 1st Lt.
The 1st Lt. Richard Torres Scholarship was originally awarded in 2004 to two recipients by a previous student organization called Chi Delta Chi.
The scholarship will be re-offered for the first time in Spring 2011.
The revived scholarship is, “paid for and awarded by the APSU Student Veterans Organization,” said Lowell Roddy, adviser to the APSU Student Veterans Organization and director of APSU Student Counseling Services.
“Part of each member’s dues goes toward the scholarship. We also will have fundraisers to ensure continuation of the scholarship.”
“Our plan is to offer it once a year until we generate more funds,” said Don McCasland, a junior social work major and chapter president of the APSU Student Veterans Organization. “Right now, it looks like we’ll be able to offer it twice a year starting Fall 2011.”
In order to qualify for the scholarship, an applicant must be in good standing at APSU, a current member of the Student Veterans Organization and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
“The successful applicant will have a record of scholarship and advocacy advancing the cause of veterans at APSU,” Roddy said. “A committee of APSU staff and faculty will select the scholarship winner.”
To commemorate the seventh anniversary of Torres’ death, members of the Student Veterans Organization will be wearing their student organization T-shirts and black armbands.
“We will be placing small memorials in high-traffic areas on campus … on the morning of [Oct. 5],” which will “remain in place until the end of classes on Oct. 6 … and, as we have breaks in classes … will position ourselves near the memorials to answer any questions people may have,” McCasland said.
Also, a “Fallen Soldier table” will be set up in the UC with the organization’s banner, Ward said.
Officially formed in April, the Student Veterans Organization has an active membership of 37 dues-paying members, and another “eight to ten ‘inactive’ members … people who still owe dues but have signed up,” McCasland said.
“Membership in the APSU Student Veterans Organization is open to all students,” Roddy said, including, “active duty, affiliates and supporters of veterans at APSU.”
“Our mission is six-fold,” Roddy said, “assist veterans transitioning from military to the college lifestyle, aid veterans in achieving academic excellence, foster a sense of belonging among veterans at APSU, recognize outstanding achievements of veterans and their families, encourage groups and individuals to promote veterans’ achievements,” and “support and advocate for veterans and veteran issues.”
“Our focus is found in our motto: ‘Veterans helping veterans,’” Roddy said.
The APSU Student Veterans Organization is affiliated with the Student Veterans of America, which is, “a network of college and university student veteran groups throughout the United States.”
The Student Veterans of America is affiliated with over 300 such student veteran groups.
Torres is survived by his parents, Julian and Dora, and his wife Linda.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN: The All State