Matthew Stark

Matthew Stark formerly served in C Co. 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment from 2015 -19. Upon his transition out of the military, Matthew was recognized as one of twelve Veteran Scholars to gain acceptance into the first ever Veteran’s Initiative at The University of Chicago through the Posse Foundation. At the University, Matthew has devoted his studies to a major in Business Economics with an interest in business operations and behavioral economics. Outside of his academic pursuits, Matthew continues to serve his fellow Rangers, volunteering as an academic mentor for over 40 transitioning veterans. Similarly, Matthew seeks to bridge the civil military divide by leading cohorts of high school aged adults in fundraising for the treatment of PTS for post 9/11 veterans. Although Matthew finds his academic pursuits stimulating, he believes his volunteer work is the most valuable of his current endeavors.
Matthew is especially connected to the 5 Foundation because he served under CPT. Bednarzyk and often asked for his advice on his future academic plans. As a continuation of CPT. Bednarzyk’s service to his soldiers, we are delighted to accept Matthew as a recipient of the CPT Connor J. Bednarzyk Education Grant. Matthew looks forward to sharing the lessons of leadership and selfless dedication instilled in him by CPT Bednarzyk as he finished up his final year in academia and takes aim at the workforce.