Jenna Wiatrek, who was working her way through nursing school, appreciates receiving the financial assistance she needed in order to continue her studies.
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On Aug. 23, 135 nursing students received scholarships at the School of Nursing’s fall Scholarship Award Convocation.

Speaking to scholarship donors, many of whom were present for the ceremony, School of Nursing Dean Robin Froman, Ph.D., said, “We thank you for your kindness and wisdom in investing in nursing, and your confidence in our students. This fall, we awarded $271,145 in scholarships to 135 students, making this semester one of the most successful semesters we have had yet. I know our students are extremely grateful for your support and dedication to their future and I know I speak for each and every one of the faculty members when I say thank you for believing in nursing. We would not be where we are today without your support and generosity.”

Scholarship donors make education possible
Major donors included the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, which provided $100,000 for 20 $5,000 scholarships to nursing students who intend to practice in rural and small town communities.

The Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio Scholarship donated $82,500 in scholarships for students in several of the Health Science Center schools. In the School of Nursing, five Ph.D. students, five Master of Science in Nursing students and one Bachelor of Nursing student received scholarships totaling $37,500.

The School of Nursing Designated Tuition Scholarship, established by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, provided assistance for seven graduate students and 52 undergraduate students.

Nikole Klavano and Jenna Wiatrek are among the Dorothy Banks Scholarship winners.

The Dorothy Banks Scholarships was awarded through the San Antonio Area Foundation to the schools of nursing and allied health. This year 41 nursing students became Banks Scholars.

“In addition to these large scholarship opportunities, the School of Nursing has a wonderful scholarship program, the Living Endowment Scholarships, that enable alumni, friends and faculty of the school to come together and give the gift of education to a student in need,” Dean Froman said. “This year, the Living Endowment Scholarship Program was successful in awarding 24 scholarships totaling $27,250.”

Students express appreciation
Nikole Klavano, an undergraduate nursing student, received a Dorothy Banks Scholarship and a designated tuition scholarship. She shared her appreciation to the donors of these two scholarship funds. “In 2001, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. We spent weeks at the hospital. During my husband’s stay I realized what a difference one person could make. We came across some of the most amazing nurses. They were kind, gentle people who made the days much more bearable. During my husband’s chemotherapy and recovery I had a lot of time to contemplate my life. I kept coming to the same conclusion: I wanted to be a nurse. Five months later I decided to go to nursing school. I know as a nurse I will be able to make a difference in someone’s life, like those nurses did for my husband and me. To me, there is no greater honor than taking care of another human being.”

Jenna Wiatrek, another undergraduate nursing student, received several scholarships including the Drs. David and Cindy Hnatow Living Endowment Scholarship, one from the Baptist Health Foundation, a designated tuition scholarship and a Dorothy Banks Scholarship. She said, “At the age of 16 I started working and saving money for my education and was a very independent individual. My parents always expressed to me that they would help me with college, but I personally believed this was something I should accomplish on my own. I wanted the responsibility of the obstacles I would have to overcome and the events I would miss out on in order to put myself through nursing school. After two semesters of nursing school and putting all of my free time into studying or preparing myself to be the nurse I wanted to be, I find myself not being able to work or be the independent person I once was. I find myself asking for help. I have come to realize that as a nurse I would be part of something much more special than an independent individual; I would be part of a team. Thank you for ensuring my success in the School of Nursing by helping me with my tuition and fees, and in return I promise a year from now I will be part of something special, a team of nurses.”