ASU’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center Celebrates Remarkable Milestone: 714 Graduating Student-Veterans!

The Pat Tillman Veterans Center at Arizona State University celebrated the graduation of 714 student-veterans during its bi-annual Honor Stole Ceremony held at Gammage Auditorium in Tempe this past Saturday. This milestone raises the total number of military-affiliated students supported by the center to over 20,000.

Javier Rafael Aguirre Martinez, a U.S. Marine veteran and graduating senior, reflected on the significance of this event. “Today represents an end of an era,” he stated, emphasizing the impact of the ceremony on all honorees.

Martinez’s journey is a testament to resilience. An immigrant from Mexico, he moved to the U.S. as a child and faced numerous challenges, including working as a custodian in his homeland before returning to Arizona to enlist in the Marines. Through determination, he rose to the rank of gunnery sergeant, serving in various international locations.

“In 2016, I had the pleasure to serve with the Department of State in several countries as a Marine security guard,” he shared. Martinez has been able to pursue his education while active duty by participating in the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program.

Shawn Banzhaf, executive director of the Pat Tillman Veterans Center and an ASU alum, expressed pride in witnessing this achievement. He noted that 1,215 military-connected students, including over 500 family members, are graduating this semester. Banzhaf underscored the commitment of the center to support those who served, stating, “A student-veteran… said they would defend our country and then complete a college degree at the same time; that’s power.”

Martinez, who majored in technological entrepreneurship and management, is among those paving the way for future student-veterans. He acknowledged Pat Tillman’s legacy, believing that Tillman would be proud of their achievements. “He believed in education and always demanded the best,” Martinez remarked.

This ceremony signifies not just an end, but the beginning of new opportunities for the graduates and a reaffirmation of the commitment to education and service.