RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) - A senior at Eastern Kentucky University who has spent six years in the Army National Guard has been chosen as a Tillman Military Scholar.

Andrew Napier is one of 59 chosen nationwide.

Napier is a biology/premedical science major and will use the $9,000 scholarship to finish his studies at Eastern this fall. He graduated from Madison Central High School in 2006 and grew up in Somerset.

Napier was a combat medic in eastern Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009.

Eastern says it is one of 14 higher education institutions nationwide selected as a Tillman Military Scholar University for the 2012-13 academic year.

The Tillman Military Scholars Program honors Pat Tillman, a professional football player who joined the Army and later died in combat in Afghanistan.