Branches of Belonging

Edward “Teddy” Montague Finds Fulfillment Through Campus Community and Commitments

Teddy Montague is both a mathematics major and a member of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), two paths that might seem worlds apart.

Before formulas or formations shaped his future, Montague’s first inroad to campus life came through athletics. During his first year living in Camino Hall, he noticed that several of his hallmates played on the rugby team, and their welcoming presence left an impression. “They’d always be really respectful and cool whenever you talked to them,” says Montague, “they were very down to earth.” Inspired by that energy, he joined the team and found a fast track to community.

Paired with his involvement in NROTC, Montague began building a strong social foundation through relationships with both teammates and fellow midshipmen.

In addition to community, NROTC offered Montague a sense of purpose, a future career and access to education.

A major contributor to his success in the program, he says, has been his background in mathematics.

“Some of the classes are pretty interesting,” he notes. “Anything that applies to real-world problems, like engineering … I like that stuff because I can see it in front of me.” The practical problem-solving skills he has gained as a math major greatly aid his work in NROTC, especially in technical Navy roles like submarine systems, nuclear reactors and flight training. 

Read the full article on page 38 of Arts & Sciences magazine (Fall 2025 issue).

The USD College of Arts and Sciences released its third annual Arts & Sciences magazine this fall. In the pages of this magazine, you will explore the impact of the liberal arts, discover current faculty research, and be inspired by student, faculty and alumni spotlights.

— Eduard Hovhannisyan