Coast Guard Foundation awards 177 new scholarships

by Coast Guard Foundation 5 Sep 2018 15:08 UTC

Top right to left - Jessica Jackson & Family; Madelynn Gaus & Family; Lily Kumar Bottom right to left - Emily Johnson & father Jere R. Johnson; Victoria Domenech (center right) & Family; Victoria Lanning & father Michael Lanning © Coast Guard Foundation

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that it has awarded a record-breaking 177 new scholarships in 2018.

Combined with three multi-year scholarship recipients and two Fallen Heroes Scholars, the Foundation currently assists 182 students with $500,000 dollars in support this year. In the 28 years of this program, the Coast Guard Foundation has paid out more than $5.1 million to more than 960 college-aged young adults to help the families of Coast Guard members achieve their goals of higher education.

"The children of the brave men and women of the Coast Guard have shown dedication to their studies and communities. The high standards they've set for themselves are evident in the work they've done," said Susan Ludwig, president, Coast Guard Foundation. "We consider these scholarships not only an investment in the personal ambitions of the next generation, but also in the future of our country."

Of this year's outstanding scholars, 43 percent are STEM majors; 46 percent are children of active duty enlisted; and, 54% are the children of retired Coast Guard members.

They include scholars like Victoria Clendaniel, a Biology major at Emmanuel College, who thanks to the Foundation's support has been able to spend more time studying and taking part in extracurricular activities throughout her community. In her role as vice president of college's Support Our Troops club she has facilitated the creation of a morale program supporting the members of the locally-based Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma.

Kelly Milbrandt grew up watching her father, Master Chief Petty Officer John Milbrandt, grow professionally through the ranks of the Coast Guard in her hometown of Clearwater, Florida, and she was both inspired and motivated by his dedication. Kelly graduated 7th in her class, is a national All-Star cheerleading champion, and has volunteered over 400 hours at a local nonprofit as a mentor for children and teens. She will study Environmental Engineering at the University of Florida in hopes of sustaining and advancing conservation efforts.

Sam Arnold is a distinguished scholar who will attend Lafayette College in the fall to study Economics. He challenged himself in high school with a course load consisting of primarily AP classes while continuing his commitment to his community. He achieved Eagle Scout ranking from the Boy Scouts of America, as well as several environmental awards, including the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry's Conservation Award.

For more on the Coast Guard Foundation's scholarship program, the Fallen Heroes Fund and the support given to Coast Guard members and their families, please view this video: