Student receives $80,000 scholarship

By Erin Brodbeck
Collegian Staff
March 1, 2006

Freshman Eric Ruff was awarded an $80,000 scholarship on Thursday, Feb. 24 after completing eight years of military service. Ruff accepted the award in a small ceremony held in the Union building.

During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Flood spoke about the “great opportunity Eric has earned” and the major responsibility Eric had taken on. Ruff later recited a military oath, inducting him as an ROTC Cadet.

In order to receive his scholarship, Ruff was evaluated on his high school grades, extracur
ricular activities, and an essay he had written on why he wanted to become an ROTC cadet. In addition to a strong academic background, Ruff displayed superior physical endurance during a fitness test in which he did sit ups, push ups and completed a two-mile run.

“I wasn’t expecting to get chosen,” Ruff said, mentioning how competitive winning the scholarship was.

When he found out that he had been selected, Ruff said that he had earned the opportunity to realize his childhood aspirations. He said that the military was something in which he was always interested.

Ruff’s parents, Martin and Ruth Anne, were also in attendance. They said that they were proud that their son had worked his way toward his ultimate goal.

“[We were] a little reluctant at first,” the two said when they learned that Ruff would have a future in the military. Although they were pleased that their son’s tuition had been taken care of, they said that they would miss Ruff when he leaves for training.

“There comes a time when you have to let go,” Martin said.

In addition to his interest in the military, Ruff also enjoys music and theater. He plays drums, sings and has taken up acting in his free time. At La Salle, Ruff is a criminal justice major with a minor in finance. After he graduates, Ruff would like to pursue a career in military intelligence.

For now, he wants to keep up his grade point average and do his best in his military science classes. While he aims to do well in class, Ruff said that his chief focus is “serving the great men protecting our country.”

brodbecke1@lasalle.edu