Meet Our Veterans

Staff

Ms. Gray
Director

Marijke Gray, affectionately known as Ms. Gray, is an incredible individual with a diverse background and a true passion for education. Hailing from Baltimore, MD, Ms. Gray has had a fulfilling career path that has led her to where she is today. She proudly served as a Combat Medic in Desert Storm/Desert Shield, displaying her dedication and bravery.

After her military service, Ms. Gray earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and her Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Policy and Urban Planning. While in college, Ms. Gray played golf on a scholarship and got a hole-in-one! Upon graduation, she worked in the federal government for over 15 years. However, her desire to make a difference in the field of education eventually led her to pursue her true passion.

Throughout her life, Ms. Gray has lived in several states, including Louisiana, California, Maryland, and Texas, gaining valuable experiences and perspectives along the way. She loves to eat, travel, and stay fit through regular workouts. Additionally, Ms Gray has two adult children, one that currently lives in Philadelphia and the other that lives in Texas. Additionally, she is a proud grandparent to Bentley, Dogman, and Catwoman, her adorable furbabies!

Clifton S. Bland
Assistant Director

Clifton Bland is the Assistant Director at UTD’s Military Veteran Center. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, Clifton is a Navy Veteran who served from May 2001 to October 2012. During his service, he launched and recovered aircraft onboard the now-decommissioned U.S.S. John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his sea duty, he returned to Arkansas for shore duty, where he recruited young men and women to enlist. As his career progressed, he transitioned into the role of Navy Career Counselor, recruiting and supervising recruiting stations from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Detroit, Michigan.

Clifton holds a master’s degree in HR Management and has a strong commitment to supporting military veterans. After transitioning to civilian life in October 2012, he discovered his passion for helping individuals. His civilian background includes workforce development, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP), Veteran Resource Coordinator (VRC), recruiting, and case management. He has also spent seven years in non-profit private education, serving as a recruiting manager and Career Placement manager within Information Technology.

Clifton is dedicated to providing the best resources and support for the veteran community. He is a proud member of Kappa Lambda Chi Military Fraternity Incorporated, where he serves as the President of the Dallas Chapter. Clifton enjoys BBQ’n, karaoke, traveling, gaming, and enjoying nature. He and his family are blessed with one daughter, one son who is currently serving in the United States Navy, and a 4-year-old grandson.

With a strong commitment to supporting our military veterans, Clifton is eager to contribute to the ongoing success and growth of the Military Veteran Center.

Chris Robinette

Served in the U.S. Army. Graduated from UTD in 2017 with an MS in Information Technology Management.

Tom Kim

Served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves. Started working at UTD in 2011 and is Assistant Dean in the School of Management. Member of the MVC’s Community Advisory Council and MVC Scholarship Selection Committee.

Jamar Blackmon

Served in the U.S. Navy. Started working at UTD in 2016. Serves as an Academic Advisor in the Office of Student Outreach and Academic Retention (SOAR) in the Department of Undergraduate Education.

Rosemary Walton

Served in the U.S. Navy as a Quartermaster 2nd class. Started working at UTD in March 2013 and serves as a Division Administrator for the Vice President and Chief of Staff. Member of the UTD Veteran Advisory Council and MVC Scholarship Selection Committee.

Renee’ (Rosalyn) Green

Served in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, and Texas Army National Guard. Started at UTD in 2014. Works in the McDermott Scholars’ Office as an Administrative Services Officer.

Cheryl Friesenhahn

Served in the Texas Army National Guard. Started her career at UT Dallas in 1997 and serves as the Senior Director of Financial Services within the Bursar Office.

Tammy McFarlen

Served in the U.S. Navy as an Operations Specialist 2^nd class. Started working at UTD in 2013 and her current role is Sr. Financial Analyst in the Office of Information Technology. Member of the MVC Scholarship Selection Committee.

Darren Crone, Ed.D.

Served in the U.S. Air Force as a Combat Cameraman. Joined UTD in 2003 and is Assistant Provost over Educational Technology Services. Member of the MVC Scholarship Selection Committee.

Andrew Anderson

Enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve for one year then served in the U.S. Army seven years. Joined UTD in August 2019 and works in the University Career Center as the Student Employment Coordinator. Member of the UTD Veteran Advisory Council and MVC Scholarship Selection Committee.

Faculty

Dr. Larry Chasteen

Served in the U.S. Air Force active duty as a B-52 pilot and Air Force reserves as a program manager at Wright-Patterson AFB. Retired as a Colonel. He worked at Texas Instruments and Raytheon as a System Engineer on radar and smart weapon programs. Joined UTD in 2011 and appointed as a Clinical Professor in JSOM.

Keith Dickinson

Served in the Michigan Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve in the infantry and the field artillery as a platoon leader, staff officer, and battery commander. He joined UTD in 2008 as an adjunct lecturer and is currently the manager of the Master of Science in Marketing program.

Dr. John McCaskill

Served in the U.S. Marine Corps (10 yrs) and U.S. Marine Corps Reserves (12 yrs) as an F/A-18 pilot. Joined UTD in 2012, and appointed as a Clinical Professor of Public and Nonprofit Management program in the School of EPPS in 2015. Member of the UTD Veteran Advisory Council and MVC Scholarship Selection Committee.

Dr. Steve McWilliams

Served in the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Miramar, Naval Air Station Pt. Mugu, and aboard the U.S.S. Constellation. Worked several years in forensic sciences at the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s office. Currently an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Neuroscience.

Dr. David Murchison

Served in the Air Force for over 30 years as a clinical dentist, educator, biomaterial researcher, and Dean of the Air Force Postgraduate Dental School. He presently holds academic appointments as a clinical professor at the UTD and Texas A&M College of Dentistry, and as an adjunct professor at the Uniform Services University of Health Sciences. At UTD he serves on the Health Professions Advisory Committee and the MVC’s Scholarship Selection Committee.

Dr. Robert L. Rennaker II

Served in the U.S. Marine Corps in aviation hydraulics and pneumatics. Currently a Professor in Neuroscience and Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering.

Dr. David Widdifield

Served in U.S. Army and Army Reserves in both Infantry and Quartermaster branches. Started working at UTD in 2018. Assistant Dean of Academic Operations & Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Management.

Sonia Leach

Served in the U.S. Air Force as a program manager, operations research analyst, inspector general and professor (Air Force Institute of Technology). Retired as a Major. Joined UTD in 2012 and appointed as a Clinical Professor in JSOM.

Alumni

Rena Piper

Served in the U.S. Army as Military Police. Graduated from UTD in 2016 with a BA. UTD Assistant Director of University Events from 2007-2022.

Chris Ranucci

Served in the U.S. Army. Graduated from UTD in 2017 with an MS in Information Technology Management. Currently serves on the MVC Community Advisory Council.

Michael Stout

Served in the U.S. Marine Corps as close air support liaison. Graduated from UTD in 2018 with BA in Interdisciplinary Studies. Started working at UTD in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant in the School of Engineering and Computer Science. Currently enrolled in UTD’s Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program.