Nicolas Lopez is among ‘The few, the proud’ at Tarleton

BY BROOKLYN MCKINNEY

Multimedia Journalist

Nicolas Lopez started his college journey strong in 2021 as a member of Tarleton State University’s Corps of Cadets and A&M’s PSA program. His goal was to transfer to A&M College Station’s Corps of Cadets before graduating, but little did he know his ties to Tarleton would last a lifetime.

“I still qualified for it, but I liked it a lot here. I really liked the small town feel and the Corps of Cadets here is not as strict, I would say. And the living situation is a lot better. The dorms are a lot nicer for cadets here at Tarleton than they are at College Station,” Lopez said.

In fact, the only time that Lopez’ friend, Jasmin Patterson, can recall that Traditions South didn’t have running water or electricity was during a snowstorm in 2023.

To those who know him, Lopez is not only hard working, but also a gentle soul with a kind smile.

“I’ve never seen him really frustrated or angry or anything. So, he’s got a very calming presence, which is part of why I like to be around him,” Patterson said.

When Lopez, a Tarleton cadet and member of the Marine Reserves, walks across the stage, he will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business. Although he only intends to pursue a career in the Marine Corps, his natural affinity for leadership made it the clear choice.

“I really love teaching. I thought it was silly when I was a freshman, but now that I’ve gotten to this point where I’m a senior and I’m instructing underclassmen cadets on how to perform our military duties and that sort of thing, I think it’s super cool,” Lopez said. “Because they’re a couple years younger than me, but at the end of the day, they’re going to be my peers once we’re actually in the military.”

Having completed his training from his training at Officer Candidates School this past year, Lopez is eager to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps following graduation. Although Lopez is leaving behind his fellow cadets, they will always hold a special place in his heart.

“The friendships I have made here with my fellow cadets, working through everything we’ve done for the past four years has definitely made lasting friendships that I know I’ll keep for a long time,” Lopez said.

Not only has Lopez remained confident in his leadership of underclassmen cadets but also humble enough to make a good impression on former Marine and Senior instructor of the Military and Leadership College, Ted Roberts.

Having read several military history books in his free time, Lopez passed his US Military History and US Defense Policy and Military Affairs courses with flying colors while receiving a glowing recommendation letter from the professor.

“What I know about Nic is he is not one of those people who sit in class, and they say they know it all already. And before the instructor can even finish the sentence, they spring out of their chair. I know Nic is not anything like that, he’s very stolid in his character,” Roberts said.

Although he was the first in his family to enlist in the military, there was never a doubt in Lopez’ mind that he wanted to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps for the rest of his life.

“What really drew me to the Marines was that it was like the toughest branch to get into, especially as an officer,” Lopez said. “You always see the signs that say, ‘The few, the proud’. They have the longest boot camp and the smallest branch, so I thought it’d be something cool to do if I was a part of that.”

Throughout the years, his family has always been supportive.

“My parents, my family, they were a little bit iffy at the beginning because I’m like the first person in my family to be in the military, so they were a little bit unsure about it,” Lopez said. “They didn’t know what is was all about, but when I made it clear that I wanted to do this with my life, they came out super supportive and just helped me get through it all.”

With the support of his friends and family and the required bachelor’s degree, Lopez will soon be commissioned into the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant, but this is just the beginning.

“In five years, I really hope to be at least a captain, which is the third rank,” Lopez said.

While Lopez doesn’t have much free time to spare, he does enjoy dancing at the Twist on Two Step Tuesday and reading sci-fi novels when he can.

Lopez also seems to have held on steadfast to his faith as a Christian during his time at Tarleton.

“I was over at his place the other day and he did in fact have a prayer book and hymnal right next to his bedside. So, a devout Christian, I’m assuming,” Patterson said.

Being in the Corps of Cadets as a college student, taking 21 credit hours while training with the Marine reserves at least once a month and working a full-time job at HEB sounds like a lot for one person to have on their plate, but Lopez has what it takes.

“You have to be able to do things that a lot of people really aren’t willing to do for long periods of time. Just really having the mental endurance to get through it, especially when it gets really tough,” Lopez said.

As a member of ‘The few’ and ‘the proud’, everyone can count on him to do it all with a smile on his face.