Scholar Stories
They're leading.
Behind every statistic is a name, a family, and a future being written. Meet the Scholars of No Greater Sacrifice — the children of our nation's fallen and severely wounded Service members — turning a parent's service into careers in nursing, engineering, intelligence, government, and public health. Some are still in their first year on campus. Others have graduated, started careers, and come back to lead the next class.
Meet our Scholars.
Applied Physiology
Southern Methodist University · Class of 2019
Without the help of No Greater Sacrifice my dream of attending SMU would have been almost impossible. The unique scholarship gave me a foundation to succeed academically, athletically, and socially.
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Mitchell Technical College
I am extremely grateful for NGS's commitment to my education and being able to come out of college debt-free. It's not just the financial aspect, but also the mentorship and relationship building that make the NGS scholarship.
Elementary Education
North Greenville University
Thanks to NGS, I'm able to pursue my education without the burden of debt. The people at NGS have been there for me every step of the way.
Biochemistry
Auburn University
The No Greater Sacrifice scholarship removed the burden of college costs from my family and provided a significant educational opportunity.
Social Work
Augusta University
NGS has been a fantastic help to my college journey. Not only have they supported me by removing that financial need, but they have also awarded me with various opportunities to help pursue my career, such as providing access to LinkedIn, regular school check-ins, and tips and tricks on networking.
Biological Science and Psychology
Florida State University · Class of 2012
Jaquel Barnes was the first college graduate of No Greater Sacrifice. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and Psychology on August 11, 2012.
Aviation — Rotorcraft Technology
Utah State University
It's not only alleviated financial stress for me but will allow me to attend an out-of-state college and follow my passion for aviation.
Political Science and Music
Clemson University · Class of 2021
The NGS scholarship is more than just a scholarship to me. The program itself keeps patriotism alive and that's very important to me considering how much my mother has sacrificed through mind, body and spirit. I want to thank all of the donors who made my scholarship possible!
Business (emphasis in accounting)
Texas Christian University
Abbey Karcher is a sophomore at Texas Christian University. She is studying business with an emphasis in accounting. She also is a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.
Industrial Design
University of Houston
Addison Houston is a senior earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design with a Minor in Energy & Sustainability at the University of Houston. After graduation, he plans to earn his Master of Science in Ecological Technology. After that, he plans to start and run a product and graphic design firm, invent cool products, and solve systemic problems.
Exercise Science
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Class of 2020
Alexa Shook graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Minor in Public Health from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2020, earning a 4.0 her final semester. She recently began an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and then hopes to earn a Master of Science in Nursing. Ultimately, she plans to become a Nurse Practitioner. Once she becomes a Nurse Practitioner, she wants to specialize in Maternity and Pediatrics with the hopes of one day opening her own practice.
Marketing
Michigan State University · Class of 2021
Lexi Eagle graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Michigan State University in May 2021. She has maintained a 3.5 GPA and has been an active member of the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity. During her time at MSU, Lexi worked as a Student Assistant at the Russell Palmer Career Management Center and her last two academic years was a Marketing Intern for the Career Services Network. She also enjoyed playing intramural volleyball during the week with her friends. Lexi is looking forward to using her degree to work at Codale Electric Supply Inc, a Sonepar Company as a Sales and Operations Trainee. In the future, she would like to pursue a master’s degree in a field related to business or marketing.
Early Childhood Education and Special Education
Mercyhurst University · Class of 2016
NGS has had a tremendous impact on my life. Their support throughout college made it possible for me to focus on my education classes.
African and African-American Studies
Dartmouth College · Class of 2021
Amari Young graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in African and African-American Studies from Dartmouth College in June 2021. Her interests include fashion, pop culture, social sciences, art, media and film, social justice, and philosophy. At Dartmouth she participated in the Dartmouth College Gospel Choir and Philosophy Club, and during her final semester she was also a finalist in Dartmouth Idol. The last three years of college she was a Research Intern at the Women in Science Program at Dartmouth College.
Texas Christian University · Class of 2017
Anna Karcher graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Texas Christian University in 2017. While in college she was a runner, and she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She is currently a Project Manager at SJL Design Group, which provides full interior architecture services from inception to installation.
Psychology
University of Southern California
Thank you so much for this opportunity! Seriously, you have opened so many more doors for me.
Worship Ministry
Abilene Christian University · Class of 2021
Ashley Burns graduated with a Bachelor of the Arts in Worship Ministry from Abilene Christian University in May 2021. She will be going full time with her church, using her degree to work in worship ministry and administrative roles, and is excited to continue focusing on her development as a worship leader.
Nursing
Jefferson College of Health Sciences · Class of 2017
I am so appreciative of being a Recipient of the No Greater Sacrifice Scholarship. Without your scholarship, it would have been a lot more difficult financially.
Nursing
Baylor University · Class of 2018
NGS was so much greater than just a scholarship, it became a family of supporters.
Physics and Mathematical Statistics
Wake Forest University
Caleb Sawyer is a senior at Wake Forest University. He is double majoring in Physics and Mathematical Statistics with a minor in Latin. He has a 3.8 GPA, and he is Secretary of Eta Sigma Phi - Classics Honor Society, President of the Quiz Bowl Team, and a member of Sigma Pi Sigma - Physics Honor Society. To have fun he is Treasurer of the Dungeons and Dragons Club.
Aeronautics
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Carson Orr is a junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. He is studying Aeronautics with minors in Aviation Business, Defense Studies, Aeronautical Studies, and Meteorology. Carson is also a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and Air Force ROTC. Most recently Carson attended Air Force Field Training in hopes to become a pilot in the United States Air Force after graduation. Overall, he wants to serve his country defending the freedoms that so many fought to protect.
Kinesiology
Tarleton State University · Class of 2020
Charlene Jordan graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a Minor in Psychology from Tarleton State University in 2020. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and having to transfer to online classes her senior year, Charlene made the Dean’s list her final 3 semesters.
All-Level Music Education
East Texas Baptist University · Class of 2021
Chloe Wright graduated with a Bachelor of Music in All-Level Music Education from East Texas Baptist University in May 2021. Her principal instrument is a B-flat clarinet, and she spends long hours practicing for her various performances. After her father, USMC SSGT Jeffrey Wright, passed, she explored using her skills in the counseling setting. She is inspired by music therapy and is pursuing a master's degree in counseling. Her dream is to become a licensed professional counselor working alongside veterans affairs and armed services.
Film Acting
University of North Carolina School of the Performing Arts
The loss of my father has been a baseline experience for me. It's a constant.
When four Scholars come from one family.
No Greater Sacrifice supports whole families, not just individual students — when one family carries the cost of service, NGS helps an entire generation reach college. The Walding family is proof. Retired Army Sergeant First Class John Wayne Walding and his wife Amy have four children, and all four are NGS Scholars: Emma is studying graphic design at the University of Arkansas, Sam is studying strategic communication at Northern Arizona University, and Andie and Hannah will use their scholarships when they reach college age. In March 2026, John Wayne Walding shared the family's story on Fox News, putting a face on a mission that reaches across whole households.
The Waldings are not alone. The Prescott family counts four NGS Scholars of its own. One family's sacrifice, in the hands of this community, becomes a whole generation's opportunity — siblings following one another to campuses across the country, debt-free and supported every step of the way.
One Scholar's full circle: Boston Gilbert.
Boston Gilbert was an NGS Scholar before he was an NGS leader. After his father, Major Troy Gilbert, was killed in action in Iraq in 2006, Boston received No Greater Sacrifice scholarship support to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas — where he earned a B.S. in Applied Physiology and Sport Management and played on the men's soccer team — then went on to complete a Master's in Leadership at Dallas Baptist University.
In 2022 he came back. Today Boston serves as Associate Director of No Greater Sacrifice, helping run the program that once carried him and standing alongside the next generation of Scholars at BootCamp and beyond. His path is the clearest answer to what an NGS scholarship makes possible: not just a degree, but a leader who returns to lift the families who gave so much.
Paying it forward.
An NGS scholarship is not where the story ends — it is where a career begins. Alumni are thriving across law enforcement, medicine, aviation, social work, government, and the arts, carrying the support they received into work that serves others. In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, 41 NGS Scholars earned their degrees and stepped into careers of their own choosing.
Many come back. At BootCamp, NGS alumni return to sit on panels and coach the next class of Scholars through the same crossroads they once faced — sharing practical advice on thriving in college and beyond. It is proof that the investment compounds, one graduate at a time, into a community that keeps giving back to the families who gave so much.
The stories add up to a record of completion — Scholars who start, persist, and graduate into careers of their own choosing.
Ready to begin
Start with one email.
To apply, a family requests an Eligibility Application — the first step in our annual selection process — by emailing info@nogreatersacrifice.org or calling 202.756.1980. A real person will help you understand whether your child qualifies and what comes next.
The proof behind the stories
See the numbers.
Every story here is one of $30M+ committed to debt-free education since 2008 — with 95 cents of every dollar going directly to the mission. See how the impact adds up across 571 Scholars and counting.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Help write the next chapter.
Every Scholar, every degree, every number you've seen began with someone who chose to give. Your gift writes the next one — debt-free education for the children of our nation's fallen and severely wounded Service members.