Rich Blewitt’s ‘73 Legacy of Service Through the Pillars of Strength Scholarship

Last month, UMGC hosted a special stewardship event to honor alumnus Rich Blewitt ‘73 for his vision, leadership, and steadfast commitment to the University’s military students, caregivers, and their families. A proud alumnus and veteran who has received both the Edward A. Parnell Outstanding Alumnus Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Blewitt is a former chair of the university's Board of Visitors establishing the Pillars of Strength Scholarship Program partnership with UMGC in 2013 to support the often-unsung heroes behind our nation’s wounded service members, their caregivers.  

Through his generosity and compassion, more than 100 caregivers have received full tuition scholarships to UMGC with 50 degrees completed to date, and eight awarded just this year. These student caregivers who have devoted themselves to supporting loved ones, have been given the opportunity to pursue their own educational goals and create brighter futures for themselves and their families. 

During the event, Blewitt met with two Pillars of Strength Scholarship recipients and heard firsthand how the scholarship has impacted their educational journeys and personal lives. Their stories of resilience, sacrifice, and perseverance served as a powerful reminder of the transformative effect of investing in those who spend so much of their lives caring for others. 

Melissa O'Connell ‘24 of Baltimore, MD is a two-time Pillars of Strength scholarship recipient. O’Connell’s husband, Edward, was a promising cryptologic technician with the Office of Naval Intelligence when a 2004 automobile accident left him seriously injured. O'Connell married him two years later, while he was still on active duty, and grew into the role of caregiver as his health declined. Her husband was eventually forced to leave the Navy, and after a period of civilian employment, he was no longer able to work. 

Although their son helped with his father’s care, the responsibilities were substantial, and O’Connell struggled to move forward with her education. Still, she graduated summa cum laude from UMGC in 2024 earning her Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree through the first scholarship and now working towards a Master of Science in Management with a specialization in Marketing through the second scholarship. She is on track to graduate in December 2026, a milestone that will strengthen her employment prospects and open the way to starting a home-based business.