Rick Hartnack served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a captain in Vietnam and flew 220 combat missions.

“Like most veterans, when I separated from the service, I knew I had the leadership skills and self confidence to succeed," he said. “What I wanted to do was make sure I had the business skills to match. I chose to pursue my MBA."

It was the right choice.

“I found that over the 40-plus years of my career in banking, the two things in my background that consistently paid off in better opportunities were my service in the Marine Corps and my MBA," he said.

Now Hartnack is funding fellowships in the hope other former service members can find similar success.

The Hartnack Family Fellowship Fund for United States Veterans was founded with the goal of creating MBA fellowships for the Lundquist College's most promising MBA candidates who are veterans from the U.S. Armed Forces: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.

Though he ultimately earned his MBA elsewhere, Hartnack started his career in Oregon and now resides in Black Butte Ranch, Oregon, with his wife Dail.

“Thanks to instructor of finance Jon Moulton, I have had the opportunity to connect with the business school at the University of Oregon and have met several veteran students," he said. “Financially, it is as hard for today's veterans as it was for me back in 1974. Now, I am in a position to help ease that financial burden and help veterans make the decision to pursue their MBA."

Sam Chiang, a prior Navy lieutenant with six years of active duty, is one of three recipients of the Hartnack Fellowship.

“I am very grateful for the fellowship to come to University of Oregon and focus on transitioning to a career in business management without having to worry about finances while I'm in school," she said.

Hartnack said he sees the fellowships as a triple win.

“Veterans get the help they need to handle the financial burden of advanced education, UO gets motivated, mature, quality students with the leadership skills to become very successful, and Oregon gets a better educated workforce that can make good things happen in our economy."

For others interested in supporting scholarships, please contact our External Relations and Development team to learn more.