Since 2009, Charles Edwards has been awarding five to six scholarships per year to veteran students through annual Edwards Ministerial Association (EMA) fundraisers. This year, for the first time ever, a St. Edward’s University student was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

EMA is dedicated to providing ministerial services, spiritual support and educational scholarships to men and women representing over 30 associations in four major areas: veterans service organizations, educational institutions, civic organizations and law enforcement institutions.

In order to be a recipient of a scholarship, students must meet one of three requirements. They must either be a disabled American veteran; a student who is economically disadvantaged with a specific major in criminal justice or law enforcement, forensics or public safety; or be a seminary student who will become a full-fledged chaplain once they receive their master’s degree.

St. Edward’s student Hector Ramirez served four years in the U.S. military and is now being recognized for his hard work and dedication for his service.

“I knew I always wanted to be in the military. My friends joined the marine core and I just wanted to experience it. I didn’t want a career out of it,” Ramirez said.

There are currently 132 veterans who are undergraduate and graduate students at St. Edward’s. Being a veteran and majoring in criminal justice with a high grade point average (GPA), made Ramirez eligible to receive a scholarship.

It was Veteran Affairs Coordinator Chris Garcia who identified Ramirez and put him forward to the association. Ramirez is currently president of the Veteran’s Association at St. Edward’s.

“First we looked at the veterans at the school, then the veterans with the right major, then the ones with a higher GPA,” Garcia said. “I thought (Ramirez) was the best candidate.”

All but one of the EMA scholarships have been awarded to students at chools within Texas. The only school outside Texas that houses an EMA scholar is Christian Theological Seminary, in Indiana — the school from which Edwards received his master’s.

“I had a lot of help and people who took care of me in terms of money. Now at this point in my life, this is my way of attempting to give back,” Edwards said.

St. Edward’s became involved with EMA when Garcia met Edwards at a council meeting where she was representing veterans as part of the council committee.

“I could tell that (Edwards’) organization was benefitting students and had something to offer, and I wanted to get involved,” Garcia said.

Garcia now hopes that in the future more St. Edward’s students will have the opportunity to be a recipient of an EMA scholarship and that veterans can gain more recognition.

“I think it’s important for me as a certified official at St. Edward’s to always seek opportunities to bring the veteran students into the spotlight in a positive way and look for opportunities to put more funding in their pocket,” Garcia said.

Ramirez is thankful to have been awarded this prestigious scholarship. He wants to build on from this and hopes that it will help him get into the police department or gain a federal job in the future.

“I just got a puppy so receiving this on top of that is a bonus. I’m very grateful,” Ramirez said.

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