Announcing the CTU 2013 Wounded Warrior Scholarship Program Recipients
November 12, 2012
•Military
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By James Hendrickson, Vice President of Military Relations
As Americans honor those who serve our country this Veterans Day, at Colorado Technical University, we’re recognizing the sacrifices of 25 wounded active duty and veteran service members and 25 spouses of wounded service members with the gift of education.
As a fellow service member, I’m honored to announce the names of 50 recipients of the fifth annual 2013 CTU Wounded Warrior Scholarship and Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarship programs. In addition to the full cost of tuition, the scholarship covers their course materials and fees, as well as a new laptop computer.
With nearly 50,000 military members injured in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to-date, we’re proud to have supported our wounded service members and their families through the CTU Wounded Warrior Scholarship program over the past five years. As more troops come home, we’re passionate about helping prepare these military families as they face new challenges at home by providing them with higher education opportunities.
How it Started
Five years ago, in collaboration with the non-profit Yellow Ribbon Fund our military education team at CTU launched the Wounded Warrior Scholarship program to offer educational assistance to wounded service members and wounded veterans who fought in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as spouses of wounded warriors. Since 2008, we have provided 250 scholarships worth nearly $5 million to individuals who served their country either in an active capacity as a military service member or behind the scene as a spouse supporting one.
Of the 25 CTU Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarship recipients chosen this year, four of the spouses also have husbands who received a Wounded Warrior Scholarship this year – meaning they will be attending CTU at the same time as their spouse. It is a privilege to help these families take the next step toward achieving their career goals.
Wounded Warrior Graduate
This past summer Gina Rinder, a 2011 Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarship program recipient, graduated with a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Her husband, Master Sgt. Sean Rinder retired from 20 years of active service in the Army after his tank was hit by several IED’s during a deployment to Iraq. When asked why she applied for the scholarship Rinder responded, “I needed to prepare for the possibility that my husband may not be able to work after the military and I might need to support our family financially. Receiving the scholarship meant not only a jumpstart on my educational goals but overcoming future financial obstacles.” Her husband, Master Sgt. Rinder was among the 50 wounded warrior scholarship recipients announced today who will begin their educational journey’s in 2013. Story’s like the Rinder’s and the countless others across our nation, inspire us and fuel our continued commitment to serving those who serve.
Read more about the CTU Wounded Warrior Scholarship and Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarship programs.
Image credit: CTU Wounded Warrior Scholarship Awards Dinner, Colorado
James Hendrickson is Vice President of Military Relations at Colorado Technical University. Since 2007, he has overseen the military education department where all military students receive support, resources and educational opportunities to enhance their military careers or prepare for civilian employment. Having served in the armed forces for the past 26 years, a current member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves and veteran of multiple deployments, Hendrickson has first-hand experience with the challenges of being a service member student, earning both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree utilizing military education benefits while serving on active duty. In 2008, he saw a need for educational opportunities for troops who were returning home from the war with life altering injuries. He collaborated with the Yellow Ribbon Fund to create the CTU Wounded Warrior Scholarship program. This year, CTU will award an additional 50 scholarships to wounded warriors and their spouses bringing the total number of awarded scholarships to 250. Connect with James Hendrickson on Twitter @CTUMilitary.