December 19, 2022 — Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one of the nation’s leading nonprofit veteran service organizations, announced today that Caitlin Egan, a graduate of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, PA, will receive the 2022 “Character Does Matter” Scholarship powered by UA Freedom. Egan was honored at TMF’s 11th annual “If Not Me, Then Who…” Gala this month and her story was documented in this video.
A native of Bristol, PA, Caitlin Egan first connected with TMF during her senior year at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, PA. Through her service with TMF, she formed a relationship with Veteran Mentor Connie Whalen and long-time TMF Spartan, Veteran Mentor Bob Craven. Caitlin helped to lead and manage a service project where students built a memorial at her school in honor of Bob’s son, fallen hero Capt. Scott E. Craven, USAF, a graduate of Conwell-Egan.
Egan credits Craven and TMF with helping her embrace vulnerability, a quality she often shied away from growing up. “My involvement with TMF has been amazing,” said Egan. “I learned so much about how to be a better person, and how to make my community and the people around me better. I wish I would have found it when I was younger as it would have helped me learn more about myself earlier on. Thanks to TMF, I’m learning now though.”
“Caitlin is an amazing young woman whose drive and initiative serves as a powerful example of how to live with character by putting the interests of others before oneself,” said Ryan Manion, President, Travis Manion Foundation. “Her commitment to service truly demonstrates what it means to live the “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos and she is challenging her peers to do the same. We are very proud to award Caitlin this year’s “Character Does Matter” Scholarship powered by UA Freedom and encourage her to continue to look for ways to leave a lasting legacy in her community.”
Following graduation from Conwell-Egan, Caitlin is attending the University of Alabama, where she’s currently pursuing a degree in accounting. Described as someone with a talent for evaluating problems and finding solutions, she plans to become a CPA and an auditor.
To learn more about Travis Manion Foundation and the Character Does Matter program powered by UA Freedom, visit www.travismanion.org/character-does-matter.
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About Travis Manion Foundation
Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) unites communities to strengthen America's national character by empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop and lead future generations. In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives by serving as character role models to youth. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes lives on in the next generation. Additional information about the Foundation can be found at www.travismanion.org.
