NEWS
Nate Cross, a Navy veteran and third-year medical student at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, has been named a 2022 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Cross is among a group of 60 students nationwide chosen to receive the prestigious scholarship, which helps U.S. service members, veterans or their spouses pursue higher education and continue their service in the fields of health care, business, law, public service, STEM, education and the humanities. Cross is the 13th student from OU to be selected as a Tillman Scholar since the inception of the foundation in 2009.
“The OU College of Medicine family is so proud to have seen Nate named to this prestigious scholarship,” said Dr. John Zubialde, executive dean of the OU College of Medicine. “As one of 60 leaders selected from thousands of applicants nationwide, Nate represents what is truly great about OU. Dedicated and talented individuals such as Nate that are committed to service beyond self are having a lasting positive impact on our nation. That brings us as Oklahomans and Americans, hope. As a U.S. Air Force veteran myself, I am also grateful to the Tillman Foundation for making such scholarships possible for outstanding service members, veterans and their spouses.”
Cross, who grew up in New Orleans, began his military career in the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Fleet Marine Corpsman. He was enlisted for eight years before a back injury ended his military career in 2018.
After earning a bachelor of business administration from OU’s Michael F. Price College of Business and with a desire to continue serving others, Cross was admitted to the OU College of Medicine in 2020 with plans to specialize in family medicine. As a medical student, he serves as the president of the Family Medicine Interest Group and the OU Health Sciences Center’s Veterans and Military Alliance organization. He expects to graduate in 2024.
The Pat Tillman Foundation honors the late Pat Tillman, who joined the U.S. Army while playing football in the National Football League before being killed in battle in 2004. The scholarship comes with an average award of $10,000 per academic year and exclusive networking opportunities.
More information on the Tillman Scholars Program can be found at pattillmanfoundation.org/meet-our-scholars.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information visit ou.edu.
