Janice L. Atwood Veterans Endowed Scholarship

Karla Martinez Gonzalez is currently a senior at the University of Maryland, majoring in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary track. During her time at UMD, Karla has had the privilege of studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she shadowed wildlife veterinarians. Additionally, she has interned at a local animal shelter and worked as a research assistant for the Canine Language and Perception Lab. Karla is also an active member of the Pre-Veterinary Society. Having applied to veterinary school this year, Karla’s ultimate goal is to become a veterinarian specializing in exotic, wildlife, and companion animals.

Jason Barbier is a multi-faceted individual with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Originally from Southern Maryland, Jason joined the Air Force to serve his country, spending 8 years developing new skills in the field of radio communications. At the University of Maryland, he mastered his skills as a physics researcher working on an electron accelerator project. He has pursued the opportunity to develop business management skills at the Smith School with the goal of bringing exciting new lab ideas to the consumer’s hands. In his free time, he volunteers with homeless dogs and cats in the DC metropolitan area by walking, transporting, and advocating for their adoption into new homes.

Nicole LaMar was active duty military in the USAF for 10 years and  now currently serves in the USAF reserves. She is entering my 3rd semester at UMD in the Environmental Science and Policy program with a concentration in Agriculture and the Environment. After graduating, Nicole hopes to find work in food insecurity.

Mildred is a former US Army soldier who utilized her experiences and values from her military years to serve patients during one of the most trying times of our generation. During the Covid19 Pandemic, Mildred served as a nurse as she once did for this great nation. While at the bedside, she grew weary of the reactive healthcare system of our country and the lack of inclusiveness in the treatment plan provided to patients. Therefore, Mildred decided to empower herself with an MBA as she developed Journiy - a digital health platform that improves patients’ overall health and reduces treatment costs by personalizing each care plan to their needs.

Carmen Bretthauer is currently a Senior at UMD completing her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Minor in International Development and Conflict Management, and Certificate in East Asian Studies. She is involved/a member with/of TerpVets, Phi Alpha Delta, and other academic honor societies dedicated to student veterans, academic excellence, and potential career(s) in law. Carmen intends to pursue graduate school to complement her interest in public service.