A Model of Moral Responsibility: Widener’s Scholarship Program Leads by Example

Honouring Service Through Study: Widener Offers Hope for Military Families

In a profound act of gratitude and compassion, Widener University in Pennsylvania has introduced a scholarship initiative to support the children of servicemembers who lost their lives during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Recognising the immense sacrifices made by these families, the university has sought to transform remembrance into a tangible opportunity. The programme, titled Widener CARES (Children of Active and Reserves Educational Scholarships), is specifically designed for children of military personnel killed in action. Although Widener now operates as a civilian institution based in Chester, near Philadelphia, it retains strong historical ties to military education and continues to host active Army and Air Force ROTC programmes.

The idea for the scholarship emerged when faculty and students were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Following a conversation with a colleague, University President James T. Harris reviewed the scholarship budget and identified sufficient resources to fund four full scholarships, each valued at approximately $100,000 over four years. Subsequently, he presented the proposal to the university board, which approved it unanimously and pledged long-term support, recognising that some eligible children may not reach university age for several years.

Importantly, Harris initiated the planning process after the November election to ensure the effort remained apolitical. He emphasised that honouring fallen servicemembers should transcend political divisions and reflect a shared moral responsibility. Furthermore, Harris noted that the initiative aligns with Widener’s mission to foster responsible citizenship. He expressed hope that other American universities would follow suit, suggesting that if each institution offered similar support, the majority of children from bereaved military families could access higher education.

The first recipients of the scholarship may begin their studies as early as September, offering timely relief to families already burdened by profound personal loss. This initiative stands as a testament to the university’s enduring commitment to service, remembrance, and educational equity.

Editor’s Note:

The full scholarship opportunity provided by Widener University is more than a generous gesture; it is a profound act of recognition, compassion, and responsibility. For every servicemember who has made the ultimate sacrifice, there is a family left behind, whose futures have been deeply altered by that loss. Widener’s initiative helps to lift that weight, offering these children a chance to pursue their dreams without the added stress of tuition costs. In creating the Widener CARES program, the university is not only living up to its own stated mission of fostering responsible citizenship and public service, but is also setting a meaningful example for institutions across the country. This effort reflects a belief that honouring service means more than symbolic gestures; it means supporting the families who carry the memory of that service every day. 

Skoobuzz asserts that through this scholarship program, Widener University is building bridges between sacrifice and opportunity, between loss and hope. It is a reminder that the truest legacy of those who serve can live on not only in history books and memorials, but also in classrooms, on college campuses, and in the lives of the next generation.