U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and FAU graduate student throws the ceremonial first pitch at the FAU Baseball "Salute to Service" home game!

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
Florida Atlantic grad walking to the mound to throw first pitch

On March 13, 2026, Catalina Garcia was recognized on FAU's baseball field as the special guest of honor for "Salute to Service" night as the Owls took on the University of Maryland baseball team. Catalina is a proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), a current masters degree student at Florida Atlantic, a Chapter Officer of Student Veterans of America and the Veteran Owls Student Organization, and she leads the way with her impressive 4.00 GPA.  FAU Owls Baseball Head Coach John McCormack welcomed Catalina and the FAU Military and Veteran Student Success team to the game. Catalina was joined by her family and fellow USMC Veteran and Broward College student Joel Perez.

Our thanks to Catalina for so positively representing the very best of our military and veteran student community at Florida Atlantic. 

The Owls were the victors.

Florida Atlantic grad throwing the first pitch Florida Atlantic grad walking shaking hands Florida Atlantic grad posing with Owl fingers