Adelphi, Md. (Aug. 26, 2025)–University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has awarded Pillars of Strength scholarships to seven caregivers of wounded, ill or injured veterans—including, for the first time, the mother of a wounded servicemember.
The 2025 scholarships enable the caregivers of wounded veterans to complete UMGC degrees that will advance the lives they have put on hold and bring greater financial security to their families.
“We are humbled by the strength and sacrifice of this year’s Pillars of Strength scholarship recipients and inspired, as always, by their stories of resilience, devotion, and quiet courage,” said UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler, PhD. “These extraordinary caregivers remind us of what it means to serve, and I know I speak for everyone at UMGC when I say that we are honored to support them as they pursue their educational goals and continue to uplift their families and communities.”
With this year’s class, UMGC has awarded 90 scholarships since the Pillars of Strength program was launched in 2013. The scholarships cover full tuition for as long as a recipient needs to complete a degree program. Already 40 scholars have earned degrees.
Sharon Grassi, who cares for her son, former Army Medic and Infantry Sergeant Derek Ryan Tope, plans to use her Pillars of Strength scholarship to complete a graduate degree in strategic communications. In 2014, at age 52, the Gilbert, Arizona, resident returned to college to pursue a bachelor’s degree that would advance her career in technical communications. Not long after, however, she found herself in the role of full-time caregiver and advocate for her son, whose tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan left him with spine and brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health challenges.
“On behalf of the Blewitt family, we extend our congratulations and express our highest praise to this year's outstanding and deserving recipients,” said Carrie Blewitt, daughter of the scholarship program’s founder, Richard Blewitt. “The caregivers give so much of themselves, and with these scholarships and assistance it was always the goal to provide them with an opportunity to live out their own dreams. We are seeing these dreams become real with the past recipients."
Pillars of Strength scholarships provide assistance for an often-overlooked group: caregivers who may put their own careers on hold to devote years to their wounded, ill or injured relatives. Exempt from most federal education benefits, these caregivers often become their families’ main income earners.
“Supporting the caregivers of our nation's wounded and fallen heroes is not just an act of gratitude—it's a commitment to their future. By supporting scholarships, The Kahlert Foundation honors the sacrifices made at home by empowering caregivers to pursue their own dreams, build meaningful careers, and continue shaping strong, resilient communities,” said Ellen Finnerty Myers, vice president and executive director of the Maryland-based family foundation.
Pillars of Strength recipients navigate sleepless nights, the challenges of veterans who may be in constant pain, endless medical appointments and even the surgeries of their family members. They do this while also juggling their family’s needs, the household finances and the intricacies of navigating VA support services. Many of the people they care for suffer from panic attacks brought on by PTSD and depression.
Pillars of Strength recipients have said that in addition to the financial support provided by the scholarships, they are touched to know that their contributions as caregivers are recognized and grateful for a renewed opportunity to pursue their own dreams.
“With my bachelor’s degree, my communications skills grew in ways that made it possible for me to help subject matter experts share their message with any audience,” Grassi wrote in applying for the scholarship. “With this master’s degree, I want my communications skills to grow in a way that allows me to share the caregiver story with any audience.”
In addition to Grassi, the following individuals received scholarships in 2025.
Lakeisha Bruku of Dumfries, Virginia, takes care of her Navy veteran husband, James Bruku, while raising three children, two of whom have autism spectrum disorders. James manages service-related injuries that cause chronic pain and PTSD. Bruku will use her Pillars of Strength Scholarship to complete a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management and Policy. Her goal is to work on policy issues linked to military security and privacy. She said the scholarship will allow her to finish her studies without sacrificing her children’s therapies or James’s care.
In May, Edward Cook finished his UMGC bachelor’s degree in business administration while continuing to care for his wife, Keisha, a Marine Corps veteran, in Niceville, Florida. He will use the new scholarship to begin an MBA program. Keisha suffered two major injuries during her military service and has undergone multiple knee and hip surgeries as she and Cook raise their blended family of six children. Cook himself is a 19-year U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret with 18 deployments under his belt.
Cory Covington has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and has worked in high-tech positions. The Pillars of Strength Scholarship opens the way for him to pursue a Master of Science in Cloud Computing Systems. The Odenton, Maryland, man is the primary caregiver for his Coast Guard veteran wife, Autumn, whose ankle injury during basic training and repeat surgeries have led to other medical conditions and a need for constant care and supervision. Since Autumn’s honorable discharge, Covington has been her primary caregiver. The couple has a 2-year-old son and newborn daughter.
Janet von Rusten gave up her career as a pastry chef after her husband, a 20-year Marine Corps veteran, was discharged with a 100 percent service-related disability. Stephen Pagotto’s injuries, which include chronic pain and PTSD, mean he needs someone with him almost constantly. Since moving away from her career, von Rusten has published a book about her personal journey, as well as a children’s book, Mortie’s Adventures in Europe. The Summerland, Florida, woman is now working on two sequels that send her fictional character Mortie on travels to Florence, Italy, and the five boroughs of New York City. She will pursue a bachelor’s degree in business and management and continue writing works that help children learn about other countries and cultures.
Edward O’Connell was a promising cryptological technician with the Office of Naval Intelligence until a 2004 automobile accident left him with serious injuries. Melissa O’Connell married him two years after the accident, when he was still active duty and working, and grew into the role of caregiver as his health declined and he was forced to leave the military. By 2013, he no longer was able to remain in the civilian workforce. A son also helped with Edward’s care, but the responsibilities were substantial and Melissa, of Baltimore, struggled to push ahead with her college education. Still, she managed to graduate summa cum laude from UMGC in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in business administration. The Pillars of Strength scholarship will allow her to enroll in a master’s program in management with a specialization in marketing, boosting her employment prospects and opening the way to start a home-based business.
Chelsea Vaughn of Bellbrook, Ohio, dreams of building cloud environments and infrastructure. As she works toward a master’s degree in cloud computing at UMGC, the Pillars of Strength Scholarship will help keep her on track toward a June 2026 graduation. Vaughn cares for her Army veteran husband, Andrew, who suffers from combat-related PTSD. She is also raising four children, one of whom has significant physical disabilities. While her undergraduate degree in kinesiology helped her with the physical therapy her daughter needs, Vaughn’s work in teaching English as a Second Language online elevated her technology skills. A graduate degree, she says, will leverage her tech skills and allow her to transition into a career that builds her family’s financial security.