Lemoore High grad, former Marine, Ryan Lamson, earns Soldier/Scholar scholarship

Lamson is attending Syracuse University, where he intends to earn a master's degree in International Relations. Vice Admiral Robert Murrett (retired), a professor of practice at Syracuse University, notified Lamson that he had earned the prestigious scholarship. Murrett is also on the Institute of Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board.

Soldier Strong is a national nonprofit that helps military veterans take significant academic steps forward in their post-secondary education.

"The Post-9/11 GI Bill has helped thousands and thousands of veterans with their post-secondary education, but there are still funding gaps that can become insurmountable obstacles toward the completion of a degree," said SoldierStrong co-founder and chairman, Chris Meek. "We're committed to helping to fill those gaps because higher education is one of the most powerful tools to help veterans have a smooth transition to civilian life and ensure that veterans can continue to provide for themselves and their families."

The GI Bill has not historically relieved all costs associated with higher education, such as textbooks, classroom fees, transportation, technology, tutoring, and many other expenses. SoldierScholar was created to alleviate those additional costs.

The now 34-year-old Lamson joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007 as an infantry rifleman, where he served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as an embassy guard, infantry squad leader, family readiness administrative assistant for the USMC, and a cleared American guard for Coastal International Security.

A 2021 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship finalist, Lamson is the recipient of multiple awards from the U.S. Department of State, United States Marine Corps, and St. Edward's University.

"I am thankful to be a recipient of a SoldierScholar scholarship and the opportunity to continue my passion for public service and international affairs. This scholarship adds to the opportunities I have at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs to hone the leadership and management skills I first learned in the service," said Lamson.

Lamson spent eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps and left at the rank of sergeant. "I wouldn't trade some of those experiences that I had in the Marine Corps," he said. "I think it was a good choice for me.," he said.

"I went to West Hills College for a little bit, and then I decided to enlist in the Marine Corp. Being a military man, I think,  was something that seemed was a calling in our household."

Eventually, after eight years in the Marine Corps, Lamson earned a bachelor's degree in global studies from St Edward's University in Austin, Texas.

"Veterans also serve as major assets to the schools they attend by bringing with them unparalleled experiences, leadership characteristics, and integrity cultivated during their time in service," added Meek. "When Americans ask themselves who they want to be the leaders of tomorrow, they will surely think of individuals like our SoldierScholar recipients - whose contributions to our society within the civilian sector will no doubt parallel their contributions to our nation during their service."

SoldierScholar scholarships are available to veterans who fought in the recent War on Terror, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. SoldierStrong, which primarily provides revolutionary medical technologies to Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country to help injured veterans lead full lives, has also awarded more than $500,000 through SoldierScholar since 2012. This year's recipients include: 

Lamson currently lives with his wife Danielle in Atlanta. She is also an LHS graduate, class of 2005. She is currently in the process of earning a master's in public health. Ryan's parents, Bill and Gloria Lamson, still reside in Lemoore, as does a brother Trent.