First Command Veterans Scholarship

Maria Smith was a Captain in the Army and a Warehouse Manager at Amazon before coming back to school to pursue her dream to become a veterinarian. She volunteers at her local animal shelter whenever she can. Maria hopes to become a livestock veterinarian so she can work to make life better for animals and humans.

Daniel Langford is married with a beautiful wife and son. He is one of five children and the first of my siblings to attend college. Daniel has been in the Marine Corps for over eight years. Prior to the Marine Corps, Daniel spent a short period of time working in law enforcement which inspired him to continue a criminal justice degree.

Miguel Martinez is a disabled veteran, a husband, and a father. He is the son of two Army veterans and the brother of a Navy veteran. He was an excellent student and athlete in high school, but unfortunately, a higher education was simply not an option for him after graduating due to financial concerns. As such, Miguel made what would turn out to be the best decision of his life and enlisted in the US Air Force, which gave him the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures around the world and allowed him to meet his lovely wife and build their family. Although Miguel mentioned his service first, it is his family that is most important to him.

Cody Schatz is a senior Physiology and Neurobiology Major graduating in December 2023 and a US Air Force Veteran. He started his undergraduate career at UMD in fall 2020 on a pre-medical track. Since then he has engaged in epidemiology and education research, clinical experiences, and remained involved with the Terp Vets student organization. Cody currently plans to apply to medical schools in June of 2024.

Chris Luna is a Navy veteran who served for five years as an aviation mechanic. He currently is pursuing a degree in International Relations with a Minor in Global Terrorism Studies at the University of Maryland. He also serves the student veteran community at the University of Maryland through the the office of Veteran Student Life as a VA Work Study.  As a young Filipino immigrant, he grew up wanting to spread the freedom and opportunities that the U.S. granted him. His goal is to fulfill his passion in public service through a career in foreign policy.

Victoria L. Elliott is from Columbia, South Carolina and is a U.S. Navy Combat Veteran. She served roughly seven years on active duty and deployed three times. She has traveled to 16 different countries and provided hands-on patient care: (1) in the Intensive Care Unit at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam; (2) aero-medically to the victims of the USS Frank Cable's boiler explosion; (3) to high-profile detainees in GTMO; and (4) to Haiti's earthquake victims. While in Kuwait, she transported personnel during convoy missions.

Growing up in Maryland, Matthew was an active child, both in and out of the classroom, with an innate sense of curiosity and adventure. This is partially what led him to join the United States Army, where he served on active duty for five years. As a Field Artillery officer, he received his training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and then was stationed at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Todd is in his senior year and will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in Cell Biology and Genetics. He is an eight year veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served as a Chinese Mandarin linguist. A native of Florida, Todd comes from a long line of military family members including both of Todd's parents and his grandfather. Todd is currently looking at continuing his education with a Master's degree in Toxicology or Entomology. He works as a research assistant in Bee Informed Partnership's lab here in College Park, helping to save the honey bees!