This year's recipient of the Merle Fister Veteran Scholarship is US Marine Corps Veteran, Gil Ruiz. 

Gil Ruiz is currently pursuing a B.S. in Engineering (Robotics) at the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, Arizona State University. Originally born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he moved to the United States when he was 6 years old. After graduating from high school, he became a United States Marine in 2006 and served four years honorably during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the rank of Corporal and several decorations along the way.

After his years of service, he began a quest to redefine and reinvent himself. After many trials and errors, he found himself at City College of San Francisco, earning the necessary credits and prerequisites in order to pursue a degree in Engineering. 

While attending City College of San Francisco, he was a part-time outreach volunteer for One Vet One Voice for a non-profit in San Francisco, CA for 3 years. Along with President Eduardo Ramirez, he managed to connect approximately 200 student veterans with valuable information regarding healthcare, housing, education, and employment.

In 2020 he was accepted into Arizona State University and began the journey to continue his academic and professional career.  His long-term career goal is to build and maintain a sustainable business that provides therapeutic solutions for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by implementing an immersive virtual reality application that provides speech, behavioral, and social therapy. 

Decorations, medals, badges, and campaign ribbons awarded during service:

• Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
• Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star
• Global War on Terrorism Medal, 
• National Defense Service Medal
• (2) Letters of Appreciation
• Certificate of Appreciation
• Rifle Expert Badge

CLICK HERE​ to learn more about Merle Fister, who inspired and funded this scholarship.