Driven to have a positive impact on the community, University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management student Kevin Bubolz has been named a 2020 Tillman Scholar.
Kevin Bubolz, a former Army helicopter pilot, is among the 60 U.S. service members, veterans and military spouses named to the Pat Tillman Foundation's 12th class of scholars. Tillman Scholars are selected based on their high potential for impact as demonstrated through a proven track record of leadership, the continued pursuit of education, and the commitment of their resources to service beyond self.
Bubolz, who transitioned from the Army in November, is pursuing an MBA at the Carlson School. His goal is to help children develop their reading skills through increased access to therapy dogs. Bubolz discovered his passion for therapy dogs in 2014 while serving in Afghanistan.
“While deployed, my unit was accompanied by a service dog named Zac,” said Bubolz. “Zac brought comfort to soldiers, reduced loneliness and would even fly in our helicopters wearing specialized hearing protection. Serving with Zac inspired me to share the benefits of animal-assisted therapy to others.”
After his deployment in Afghanistan and during his time as a flight instructor, Bubolz and his wife adopted Ellie, their golden retriever. Although they volunteer in many settings including the University of Minnesota’s PAWS program, Bubolz believes it is most rewarding to observe the effects Ellie has on children during Tail Waggin’ Tutors, a reading program that focuses on improving childhood literacy.
“A lot of people join the military to serve a greater purpose,” said Bubolz, who is expected to graduate in 2021. “However, veterans often struggle to find that same sense of purpose in their civilian lives. Fortunately, the Carlson School offers more than a typical business education. They truly embody their motto ‘business as a force for good’ and provide opportunities to continue serving others, which is one of the many reasons I selected Carlson.”
Each year, the Carlson School’s full-time MBA program is made up of 15-20% veterans. To learn more about the Carlson MBA program and military veterans, visit here.
Since the Tillman Scholars program began in 2008, 14 University of Minnesota students have received this award. Bubolz is the first Tillman Scholar from the Carlson School.
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