The Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) held its annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet September 17 in the Brown Ballroom at the Bone Student Center.
Interim Dean H. Catherine Miller hosted the event, and President Larry Dietz welcomed the donors and recipients. Joni Smith, B.S.N. ’96, established a new scholarship this year, and spoke about her experiences as a nursing student who received scholarships and why she was giving back to her alma mater.
The college received nearly 300 applications for scholarships for the 2015–2016 academic year and awarded 87 scholarships and awards.
“It’s amazing when we look back on this event and how much it has grown,” said Miller. “Our first event was a luncheon with 19 in attendance, which included donors, student recipients, and guests. This year we had almost 150 attending the banquet! This is a special event that gives our recipients the opportunity to meet the donor of the scholarship they were awarded and thank them in person.”
This year, six new scholarships were established. MCN Director of Development Jenny Ward worked with donors to create their specific award.
“Both our donors and students have very poignant nursing stories,” said Ward. “It is heartwarming to see them come together and meet. Even if the student’s donor is not able to attend, we sit them with other donors to tell their stories.”
MCN is grateful for all of the scholarships and awards that have been established to help deserving students, who would not be able to attend the University without the help of need-based scholarships. Below are links to the new scholarships and awards profiles:
Aaron Junior Geriatric Award
Emily Anne Fredbloom Memorial Scholarship
Coletta Kintzle Memorial Scholarship
The William and Alice McKnight Scholarship
Joni Smith, B.S.N. ’96 Scholarship
The William and Nancy Yarger Nursing Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund
Visit the MCN Flickr page to see photos from the banquet.
For more information about establishing a scholarship, contact Ward at (309) 438-7178 or jsward@IllinoisState.edu.
