STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM $142,600 IN SCHOLARSHIPS, DONORS HONORED
Iris Appenrodt and Libby Gersbach
T
he UCF College of Nursing awarded more than $142,600 in scholarship aid for the 2013-4 academic year thanks to the generous support of donors. The college honored its donors and 64 scholarship recipients at an appreciation luncheon in March at the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. Of the 64 scholarship recipients, 28 students received more than one scholarship.
Katie Korkosz, director of development for the college, says scholarships are a funding priority for the college, and assist students with their tuition and educational expenses. “Many nursing students are not able to work during the program due to the rigorous curriculum, so scholarship support is critical and helps us recruit the best and brightest students.” Two scholarship recipients, who have since graduated, spoke at the luncheon expressing their appreciation for the philanthropic gifts they received.
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP DONORS Thank you to our donors who supported their endowed fund from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 Dr. Howard A. Bender III (’97, ’98) – The Bender Family Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Nirvana Health Services, Inc. – Nirvana Health Services Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Robert M. Byers – Dr. Jacqueline Byers Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Mr. Mark S. (’99) and Mrs. Lisa Moore - The JKLM Moore Endowed Scholarship
Femmes de Coeur – Femmes de Coeur Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Orlando Health – Orlando Health Nursing Endowed Fund
Mr. David (’81) and Mrs. Ania Hanke – David and Ania Hanke Endowed Fund for Global Health Outreach
Dr. Earl A. and Mrs. Jan T. Smith – Dorothy Anne Perkins Tomlinson Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Linda M. Hennig (’96) – Drs. Linda M. and E. Glenn Hennig Jr., Endowed Scholarship
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care – VITAS Innovative Hospice Care Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Jean C. Kijek – Dr. Jean C. Kijek Doctoral Student Endowed Scholarship
Mr. Daniel W. (’74) and Mrs. Ria C. Voss – Light The Way Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Kate (’79, ’83) and Mr. Joseph F. Kinsley – Ida Kinsley Memorial Nursing Endowed Scholarship
Vivian and Barry Woods Trust – Vivian and Barry Woods Educational Endowment
Mr. Robert A. Lowke Jeanne Lowke Endowed Scholarship for Oncology Nursing Students
We apologize for any errors or omissions.
Born in Germany, Iris Appenrodt, a BSN student who received two scholarships, spoke about the many obstacles she overcame and her financial struggles along the way. “When I was notified about the scholarships, I was trying to figure out how to pay for the spring semester and my upcoming graduation. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for this generous contribution.” After she passed her nursing board exam, Appenrodt began a full-time job at the Orlando VA where she spent her final year of nursing school participating in their Veterans Affairs Learning Opportunity Residency (VALOR) program. She is very passionate about her work with veterans. “I am a naturalized U.S. citizen, so to me, being a VA nurse gives me the opportunity to embrace
my chosen country and the veterans who make it possible for me to be here.” A proud mom of two grown children, Libby Gersbach said, “I am not sure that the words ‘thank you’ are enough to adequately express my heartfelt gratitude for the donors. Their generosity has helped me achieve my goals and pursue the career of my dreams.” Gersbach, also a BSN student and the recipient of two scholarships, said she put her family first before finally embarking on her desired nursing degree. “My son graduated from Midwestern University with his Pharm D last spring and my daughter is finishing her third year of law school,” she said. “She sat for her bar exam this past summer around the same time that I was taking my nursing board exam.” •
DANCE-OFF SECURES SCHOLARSHIPS UCF WON FIRST PLACE in a regional dancing face-off against other nursing programs in a competition called “Let Us Entertain You”, or LUEY. UCF has participated in the event for the past seven years, but never placed first until now. UCF came by the victory not only through talent, but in dollars raised. UCF secured its victory with Sigrid Ladores (PhD ’14), who not only danced, but sang. Ladores has been singing for years and greatly improved her step with Tony Sterling, a local dance instructor. LUEY is hosted by a nonprofit fundraising group called Femmes de Coeur, meaning Women of Heart. The competition was created purely for fun and as a way to raise money for new scholarships for nursing students. UCF, Valencia College, Seminole State College and Adventist University School of Health Sciences each receive $5,000 in proceeds towards their respective Femmes de Coeur Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund. Each school provides one participant as their ‘celebrity’ dancer, with faculty, staff and members of the public purchasing tickets to attend in support. The show takes on a format similar to the acclaimed Dancing with the Stars television show. Each contestant takes several weeks’ worth of professional dance lessons before the show. The dancers are not limited to academia. Other local celebrities like news anchors, attorneys and real estate agents participate as well. •
PHOTO COURTESY OF SIGRID LADORES (PhD ’14)
“We are very thankful for the support we receive from the community in providing scholarships for our nursing students,” said Mary Lou Sole, interim dean of the UCF College of Nursing.
COLLEGE OF NURSING MAGAZINE
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