A new veteran scholarship program provides assistance for American heroes, like Ray Dilworth '18.
Originally from Bells, Texas, Dilworth joined the military in 2009 at age 18, married at 19 and deployed to Afghanistan at 20. In August 2011, he was on patrol with his Army unit in Afghanistan when an enemy grenade dropped from the sky and landed at his feet, shattering his jaw and sending shrapnel into the left side of his body. After the attack, he spent seven months recovering in Fort Knox, Kentucky and endured hundreds of hours of surgery and physical therapy to regain the full use of his body.
Today, Dilworth is an animal science major and one of the more than 1,1000 veterans who attend Texas A&M University as students. He receives support from the GI Bill, but funding his college education with all of its hidden costs has been a challenge, as he struggles to support his wife Mallory, 4-year old daughter and 1-year old son.
Answering the call for help, Don and Ellie Knauss are among the first to fund an endowed Freedom Scholarship, the highest of three tiers of veteran scholarship support in a new initiative.
"When you're talking to veterans you think, 'Who else would you rather have get a fair chance at an education than those who have provided that level of service to their country?'" said Don. "It's a pretty emotional thing. If anyone deserves a chance to complete their education and realize their potential, it's veterans."
Learn more about Cadet Ray Dilworth '18 and the Aggie Veteran Scholarship program in Spirit magazine.
Texas A&M Foundation
The Texas A&M Foundation is a nonprofit organization that receives major gifts and manages endowments for Texas A&M University. This year, the Foundation will provide $103.9 million for scholarships, faculty support, leadership programs and construction projects. Request your A&M Support Kit to learn how you can make a difference at Texas A&M through a gift to the Foundation.
Originally from Bells, Texas, Dilworth joined the military in 2009 at age 18, married at 19 and deployed to Afghanistan at 20. In August 2011, he was on patrol with his Army unit in Afghanistan when an enemy grenade dropped from the sky and landed at his feet, shattering his jaw and sending shrapnel into the left side of his body. After the attack, he spent seven months recovering in Fort Knox, Kentucky and endured hundreds of hours of surgery and physical therapy to regain the full use of his body.
Today, Dilworth is an animal science major and one of the more than 1,1000 veterans who attend Texas A&M University as students. He receives support from the GI Bill, but funding his college education with all of its hidden costs has been a challenge, as he struggles to support his wife Mallory, 4-year old daughter and 1-year old son.
Answering the call for help, Don and Ellie Knauss are among the first to fund an endowed Freedom Scholarship, the highest of three tiers of veteran scholarship support in a new initiative.
"When you're talking to veterans you think, 'Who else would you rather have get a fair chance at an education than those who have provided that level of service to their country?'" said Don. "It's a pretty emotional thing. If anyone deserves a chance to complete their education and realize their potential, it's veterans."
Learn more about Cadet Ray Dilworth '18 and the Aggie Veteran Scholarship program in Spirit magazine.
Texas A&M Foundation
The Texas A&M Foundation is a nonprofit organization that receives major gifts and manages endowments for Texas A&M University. This year, the Foundation will provide $103.9 million for scholarships, faculty support, leadership programs and construction projects. Request your A&M Support Kit to learn how you can make a difference at Texas A&M through a gift to the Foundation.
