from SOU News https://news.sou.edu/2021/03/sou-graduate-oregon- rst-female-rotc-trained-infantryof cer/
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SOU graduate is Oregon’s rst female, ROTC-trained infantry o cer
aleigh Wagman knew long before her graduation from SOU last year that she was on track for something special, but she chose to keep it to herself until the accomplishment was in sight. That happened in the fall of 2019, when Wagman – a four-year Army ROTC participant – let others at SOU know she would become the rst female infantry of cer produced by an ROTC program in Oregon.
military knowledge, academic abilities and physical tness.”
“I knew since the beginning of my sophomore year that it was what I was going to do,” she said. “I kept it a secret until the beginning of my senior year, when we had to announce what ( eld) we were choosing.
She will then return to her 141st Infantry Battalion until she begins post-graduate studies in August. She has received offers from the Medical Science doctoral program at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, and from the Integrated Biomedical Sciences doctoral program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
“I wanted to be given opportunities based on my own merit and reputation that came from my
Wagman, now a second lieutenant in the Texas Army National Guard in San Marcos, is assigned to the Infantry Basic Of cer course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and will of cially become the rst Oregon ROTC-trained female infantry of cer when she completes the course in May.
Wagman graduated from SOU last summer with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. She credits the ROTC program for helping her build discipline, and faculty members in SOU’s STEM Division for challenging her academically. “Dr. (Patrick) Videau is awesome; he always keeps things real with students and is entertaining to learn from,” Wagman said. “He and Dr. (Brie) Paddock both go out of their way in order to get students the help they need, and are both key players in my love for science and reasons for pursuing graduate school.” Despite her love for science, it was athletics that initially attracted Wagman to SOU. Raiders volleyball coach Josh Rohl ng is a family friend who was in her parents’ wedding, and she came Continued on page 41
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EDUCATION