Ryan Gunning, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Ryan Gunning's years at The University of Alabama: two degrees in operations management, repeated academic honors, and work for fellow student veterans.
Ryan Gunning at The University of Alabama
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2014 to 2018, Ryan Gunning enrolled at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration in operations management, with a minor in supply chain management, and then completed an accelerated master's degree in operations management, receiving his Master of Science in June 2025.
Tuscaloosa was home for those years. Later University of Alabama honors notices list Ryan Gunning of Tuscaloosa, AL; early notices list his hometown of Orange, CT.
President's List and Dean's List honors
Throughout his undergraduate studies, Ryan Gunning was named repeatedly to The University of Alabama President's List and Dean's List. His honors are verified on his MeritPages profile.
- President's List (4.0 / all A's): fall 2018, spring 2019, fall 2022, spring 2023
- Dean's List: summer 2019, fall 2023, spring 2024
See also the press page for honors coverage.
Every term is listed with its sources in Ryan Gunning's University of Alabama academic honors on the press page.
In the news
Why operations management suits veterans
Ryan Gunning believes operations management is an outstanding degree for veterans because it translates military experience directly into the classroom. Planning, logistics, supply chains, and getting people and equipment where they need to be are things many service members already know firsthand. As a Marine Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist, Ryan had lived precision resupply and mission planning before he studied them.
Serving on campus
In Tuscaloosa, Ryan served as a board member of the University of Alabama Campus Veterans Association, which helps put on community events such as Operation Iron Ruck, and he advocated for student veterans who were not receiving the educational benefits they had earned. In 2024, Ryan Gunning was honored at the University of Alabama's Bama Salute military appreciation football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Ryan's advice for student veterans
Ryan recommends that student veterans take internships and student worker positions while they study. They build a resume alongside the degree and make the move into a civilian career much smoother. He also encourages veterans to plan their benefits early, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, VR&E, Pell Grants, and VA work-study.
Newest: Ryan Gunning on Alabama's Bye Week: The Texas A&M Comeback and the Road to LSU, Ryan's take on the Crimson Tide's comeback over Texas A&M, the bye week, and the road to LSU and Bama Salute.
New: Ryan Gunning on Student Veteran Life at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ryan's guide to student veteran life at Alabama: Veteran & Military Affairs, the Campus Veterans Association, and owning your benefits.
New: Ryan Gunning in Tuscaloosa: From the Marine Corps to the University of Alabama, Ryan's own account of his Tuscaloosa years.
Also new: Ryan Gunning on the Crimson Tide: Tuscaloosa Game Days, the 2026 Season and Bama Salute, Ryan's take on Crimson Tide football, Bryant-Denny game days, and how Alabama honors veterans.
Read more in his Veteran Transition series: From the Marine Corps to College: Use Your Benefits and Build Your Resume and Making 36 Months Count.
Ryan Gunning on veteran suicide and community
In this short 2023 clip, Ryan Gunning talks about how far veteran suicide awareness has come, what still needs to happen next, and why a real community on campus matters so much to student veterans in Tuscaloosa.
Photos of Ryan Gunning in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
More photos in the Ryan Gunning photo gallery.
Questions about Ryan Gunning in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Who is Ryan Gunning of Tuscaloosa?
Ryan Gunning is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran (Sergeant, 2014–2018) who lived in Tuscaloosa while studying at The University of Alabama. He earned a B.S. and an accelerated M.S. in operations management there, and today he lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where he is President and Founder of The Calm Seas Project.
What did Ryan Gunning study at The University of Alabama?
Ryan Gunning earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration in operations management, with a minor in supply chain management, and then an accelerated Master of Science in operations management. He received both degrees in June 2025.
What academic honors did Ryan Gunning earn at Alabama?
Ryan Gunning was named to The University of Alabama President's List (4.0) for fall 2018, spring 2019, fall 2022 and spring 2023, and to the Dean's List for summer 2019, fall 2023 and spring 2024. The honors are verified on his UA MeritPages profile.
How did Ryan Gunning support student veterans in Tuscaloosa?
Ryan Gunning served on the board of the University of Alabama Campus Veterans Association, which helps put on events such as Operation Iron Ruck. In June 2025 he spoke to ABC 33/40 on behalf of UA student veterans who were waiting on education benefits they had earned. In 2024 he was honored at UA's Bama Salute military appreciation football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Where does Ryan Gunning live now?
Ryan Gunning lives in Jacksonville, Florida. He founded The Calm Seas Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers all-expenses-paid fishing and diving excursions for veterans and first responders.
More about Ryan Gunning
Ryan Gunning on Alabama's bye week and the road to LSU (blog) · Ryan Gunning on student veteran life at Alabama (blog) · Ryan Gunning in Tuscaloosa (blog) · Ryan Gunning on the Crimson Tide (blog) · About Ryan Gunning · Ryan Gunning: Marine Corps to the University of Alabama · Ryan Gunning in Jacksonville, FL · Sergeant Ryan Gunning, U.S. Marine Corps · The Calm Seas Project, founded by Ryan Gunning · Ryan Gunning in the press · Blog by Ryan Gunning