Annual Scholarship Banquet Connect Donors and Students

ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET CONNECTS DONORS AND STUDENTS

“ THE SUSTAINING EXPERIENCES AND FRIENDSHIPS FORMED AT KETTERING COLLEGE MOTIVATED ME TO DONATE SO THAT OTHERS CAN FIND A WORTHWHILE CAREER IN A FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION.”

Kettering College awarded scholarships totalling $223,500 to 65 students at its annual Scholarship Banquet, held on March 26, 2019. Prior to dinner and a formal program, donors and scholarship recipients met and mingled at a reception.

Among the students recognized at the event was 2019 nursing graduate Joshua Hemmelgarn, who received the Carolyn Wheeker Scholarship, the Preble County Youth Foundation Scholarship, and the Dayton Business Club Education Foundation Scholarship.

“Receiving these scholarships meant a lot to me, as they not only help support me financially, but also demonstrate the commitment that our community has in raising up future health care providers,” said Hemmelgarn, who is now a nurse in the intensive care unit at Grandview Medical Center in Dayton. “These scholarships are, in a way, confirmation of my calling to serve the Dayton community as a nurse.”

Larry Beneke, a longtime donor, former faculty member, and current staff member, said he feels called to support students through scholarships. In 2007 he founded the Diane C. Beneke Scholarship in honor of his late wife. This year, he donated funds to start an endowed radiologic sciences and imaging scholarship. “The sustaining experiences and friendships formed at Kettering College motivated me to donate so that others can find a worthwhile career in a faith-based organization,” said Beneke.

Since retiring as chair of Kettering College’s radiologic technology department, Beneke has continued to help students as a part-time advisor. “I feel so honored to be part of this dynamic organization driven by my fellow employees and friends,” Beneke said. “My hope is that alumni look back on their experiences and feel encouraged to help current students as they pursue careers in health care.”

Kettering Medical Center Foundation is the fundraising arm of Kettering College, and partners with donors, alumni, faculty, and staff to grow the scholarship program and ensure that cost is not a barrier to pursuing a Kettering College degree.

“We are blessed to partner with passionate donors who want to make a difference for Kettering College, whether that’s through unrestricted gifts at KC Giving Day, gifts to support capital needs, or through a named scholarship,” said Erin Culp, director of philanthropy at Kettering Medical Center Foundation. “It is a joy to make it all happen.”

For information about scholarship giving opportunities, contact Kettering Medical Center Foundation at 937-395-8607 or online at kc.edu/giving.

FEATURED

1 | Nate Brandstater, president of Kettering College, laughs with former program chair for radiologic sciences and imaging and current staff member Larry Beneke.

2 | Desiree Blanton, a nursing student, with Louis Caruso, a scholarship donor, during the scholarship banquet.

3 | Amanda Pinkerton, a radiology student, listens with Wally Sackett, president of Kettering Medical Center, as his wife, Julie, clinical research coordinator at Kettering Health Network, looks on.

4 | Deborah Kim, human biology student, talks with Joan Ulloth, associate professor in the Division of Nursing during the dinner portion of the scholarship banquet.

5 | Amanda Burtis, a nursing student, spoke during the scholarship banquet about how the scholarships she received helped her through school financially.