Folds of Honor Marks Graduation Milestone for Military and First Responder Family Scholars
What to Know
- Folds of Honor awarded 1,613 scholarships to military and first responder family members in the Class of 2026.
- Graduates studied diverse fields including healthcare, education, engineering, science, and public service.
- Emilee Mueller, the first in her family to graduate, received support after her father was disabled in the line of duty.
TULSA, Oklahoma -- Folds of Honor announced that 1,613 scholarship recipients from military and first responder families earned college degrees as part of the Class of 2026, highlighting the organization's ongoing effort to support families affected by service-related injuries, disabilities and line-of-duty deaths.
The graduates completed degrees in fields including healthcare, education, engineering, science and public service. According to Folds of Honor, each scholar is the spouse or child of a military service member or first responder who was disabled, injured or killed while serving.
“To the Class of 2026, congratulations,” said Col. Nick Nichols, president of Folds of Honor. “You carried something into the classroom most of your classmates did not, and you made it to the other side. We are proud to have stood beside you.”
Among this year's graduates is Emilee Mueller, 23, of Louisville, Ohio. Mueller earned an undergraduate degree in education from the University of Akron. Her father, Jason Mueller, a U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, was disabled in the line of duty.
According to Folds of Honor, Mueller is the first member of her family to earn a college degree. She said scholarship assistance from the organization helped make her education possible.
“I am extremely thankful for the donors and their contribution to Folds of Honor,” said Emilee Mueller. “I have had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders… Thank you for all your love and support!”
After graduation, Mueller plans to teach in an inner-city school district.
Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families. The organization said more than 7,700 qualified applicants still had unmet scholarship needs this year, underscoring continued demand for educational assistance among families impacted by military and first responder service.