Meet the Marine Sniper Turned University of Montana Graduate

From farm kid to Marine sniper to Marshall Scholar, this UM student is charting a new path. 

MEET JAMES STRAW

Skylar Rispens with UM News Service tells us that when James Straw graduated from high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and accomplished his lifelong goal to become a sniper. But Straw’s military career was sidelined after receiving a diagnosis for an autoimmune disease, setting him on a new path.

Now he is the latest Marshall Scholar from the University of Montana, considered among the most prestigious scholarships for U.S. citizens.

WHAT IS A MARSHALL SCHOLAR?

The Marshall Scholarship is a highly competitive, merit-based program that provides funding for graduate study in the United Kingdom, given to only about 40 American students a year. James Straw, who is originally from Colorado, is only UM’s 5^th Marshall Scholar to date. The scholarship was created by the Parliament of the U.K. in 1953 in recognition of Secretary of State George C. Marshall.

PERSONAL PHYSICAL CHALLENGES LEAD TO NEW SUCCESS

Through values of leadership, excellence and commitment to service, Straw found success during his time as a Marine. Those same principles have translated to the classroom for integrated physiology major/biochemistry minor.

After five years of service as a Marine, Straw set his sights on joining the U.S. Army Special Forces. In an effort to improve his resume before re-enlisting, Straw enrolled at Missoula College to earn an associate's degree in paramedicine. 

But during his first semester, he began experiencing severe inflammation and pain, eventually loosing vision in one eye. He suddenly struggled to walk, and was eventually  diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disease that causes severe pain and inflammation.

Through Missoula College’s health care program, professors taught him how to learn and make studying more enjoyable, skills he continues to apply to his undergraduate studies on UM’s main campus. It was there that faculty members encouraged James to pursue research.

READ MORE: U of Montana Student Helps Lead the Way for Women Firefighters 

WHAT'S NEXT?

After graduating from UM this spring, Straw will pursue his graduate degrees in the U.K for two years.

A Griz grad to be proud of and to appreciate for his dedication to serving his country! Find out much more about his fascinating and inspiring journey by reading the entire Skylar Rispens/UM News Service amazing article here.