By Dan McCarthy
Mail

Anirvin Puttur grew up with his family in Gilbert and attended school in Mesa – a combination he credits for the path he is on today.

Puttur is one of two U.S. Air Force Academy cadets this year to be named a Rhodes Scholar, among the oldest and most prestigious of academic honors.

"I want to express my sincerest appreciation for my family and mentors for supporting my journey thus far. I owe my drive, passions and curiosity to my community,” Puttur said.

Puttur attended Basis Mesa and said his education there provided him “with insatiable curiosity and a strong STEM background.”

As important, he said, it “taught me how to think.

“My teachers showed me the value of problem-solving and gave me the tools to learn new things, which I am extremely grateful for.

“I cannot state enough how grateful I am to my family and teachers who helped me find the path I am on today.”

Puttur and fellow Cadet First Class Robert J. Miller are among 32 Americans who in October will begin the fully funded postgraduate Rhodes Scholar program in the United Kingdom at the University of Oxford.

The program received applications from nearly 2,800 students representing 264 institutions, according to a release from the academy.

Puttur is a senior majoring in aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics.

He said he was motivated by his family and mentors in high school and driven to service “by a desire to support a purpose bigger than himself, give back to his nation,” the academy release stated.

“This exceptional accomplishment by cadet Miller and cadet Puttur shows how the academy’s integrated military training, academics and athletics prepare our cadets to compete for the nation’s most selective scholarships,” U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind said.

It is the first time since 2019 the academy has had multiple Rhodes Scholars in a single academic year.

“The selection of cadet Miller and cadet Puttur as Rhodes Scholars is a testament to the strength and quality of academics at the U.S. Air Force Academy and a reflection of the achievements of these two outstanding cadets,” said Col. Steven C. M. Hasstedt, acting dean of the faculty.

“These young leaders demonstrated remarkable academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, exemplifying the highest standards of scholarship and critical thinking in applied problem solving.”

Puttur said he wants his Rhodes scholarship to allow him to focus on hypersonic research.  

“More importantly, I look forward to building close relationships with my cohort and developing meaningful connections.”

He plans to attend pilot training as a USAF officer upon completing his studies.

“I hope to serve and uphold my commitment to the nation, as well as attend test pilot school.

“Long-term, I hope to use my experiences as a student at Oxford and an operational pilot to advance global aerospace collaboration.”

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as those meet our  Civility Guidelines.

Dan McCarthy
Web content

dmccarthy@iniusa.org

Meet Dan
Dan McCarthy joined Independent Newsmedia as web content editor after a 40-plus year career as a reporter and editor in New Jersey and Arizona. During his time in Arizona, he has been an editor of daily and weekly papers in Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Peoria and Glendale. Prior to moving to Arizona in 1984, when he was hired to be assistant city editor at the Tempe Daily News, he covered regional police/fire news, municipal, county and state governments in New Jersey, the latter as bureau chief at the state Capitol.

Community: He has served on several boards over the years, including the Tempe Community Action Agency and the Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Governors. He is a graduate of the Tempe Leadership and Scottsdale Leadership programs, serving as media adviser for subsequent classes of Tempe Leadership.

Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. 

Random Fact: Set winter/summer track records in the 60-, 100- and 220-yard dashes at his high school in New Jersey. 

Hobbies: Tai chi, cooking, dining at his must-eat-once places around the U.S. and the Cincinnati Reds, his favorite team since 1961.