TAMPA, Fla. — A University of South Florida student, who was injured in Afghanistan, has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physics.

• Former Army Helicopter pilot among recent USF grads
• Stephanie Bauman recently graduated with degree in physics
• Now pursuing Masters Degree at Oxford University

Before starting at the University of South Florida, Stephanie Bauman was a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army Reserves.

She spent 20 years in the military, but a head injury forced her out of the chopper.

“It took a while to get over not being able to fly ever again,” Bauman said.

She was forced to find a new path, so she began courses at USF.

“Well I kind of wanted another easy thing to do so I decided to study physics,” Bauman laughed.

It was quite the challenge for a student who was never good at math.

But her mentor and former professor couldn’t be more proud.

“She was a determined student,” said USF professor Manoug Manougian. “She was determined to succeed.”

Now that she has graduated, Bauman plans to continue her education.

By the Fall, she will be going to get her Masters Degree at Oxford University.