Scholarships

Anita Reed served St. Elizabeth School of Nursing for 31 years as a faculty member, Department Chair of Community Health and Coordinator of Admissions. Students were her number one priority as she listened, advised and mentored them through their nursing journey. This scholarship is for a student(s) who are passionate about nursing and caring for others.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Be enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Have a minimum transfer GPA of 2.8
• Be a transfer or 2nd degree student
• Demonstrate a passion for nursing and caring for others

The Betty J. McCay Schober Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of Mrs. Schober and provided in her memory by her family. Mrs. Schober was an alumnus of St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, having graduated in the class of 1947. Mrs. Schober was raised in a small farming community in Indiana and it is the family’s wish that students benefiting from this scholarship have a similar background.
Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be either a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
• Must be admitted and enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing with a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.2 on 4.0 scale
• Current high school senior to be awarded during their Level One year at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Special consideration will be given to a student who lives on a farm or is from a small community
• Additional consideration will be given to a student who has shown success in spite of difficult family situations, such as a family member with a serious illness, long-term unemployment of a parent or other such hardships.

The Candy Genda Nursing Scholarship was established in 2020 by her brother, Mark Genda, to honor her service and the service of all nurses who have dedicated their lives to caring for others. Candy is a St. Elizabeth School of Nursing alum who tries her best to live by the “Golden Rule”. “As a nurse it is important to remember to care for each person without judgment and treat everyone like they are part of your family” – Candy

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be either a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States 
• Must be admitted and enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing 
• Demonstrates financial need 
• Be a non-traditional student 
• Be a 3rd or 4th year student 
• Additional consideration will be given to a student who has shown success despite a difficult family situations or hardships

The Loeb Scholarship was established to provide a $1,000 merit scholarship for up to eight semesters of assistance to an outstanding applicant of the Registered Nursing Diploma-Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN), St. Elizabeth School of Nursing-University and Saint Francis Cooperative Nursing Program. The award is renewable for up to eight semesters (a total of $8,000) as long as the student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress as outlined in School of Nursing policies.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Level One student at to St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• High school students with minimum 3.5 GPA and either SAT of 1100 or ACT 22, as well as the minimum of proficient score on TEAS entrance exam (if required)
• Transfer students with at least 24 hours of transfer coursework completed and college GPA of at least 3.5, as well as minimum of proficient score on TEAS entrance exam (if required).

Hunter Ryan, born at 34 weeks and 6 days, entered this world on January 28, 2018 without a heartbeat. He was revived by a NICU nurse 12 minutes after his delivery and fought hard against his very rare diagnoses of hydrops. Hunter lived in the NICU for 10 days, and during that timeframe manuy nurses were able to learn a lot about hydrops from him. Although Hunter's life on Earth has ended, his strength and legacy will live on and continue to educate future generations of nurses! The Hunter Ryan Memorial Scholarship was established in 2021 by his family, who have found comfort in the following scripture: "Let the little children come to me because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." - Luke 18:16

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Must be enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Must be at least a second year student
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Must be registered to take summer classes
• Must be interested in pursing a career in at least one of the following areas: NICU, Labor & Delivery, OBGYN, or Pediatrics

The Jacqueline Bahler BSN, RN St. Elizabeth School of Nursing Endowed Scholarship was established through a contribution by Jackie Bahler. This scholarship recognizes Jackie’s 50 years of dedicated nursing service, and her desire to provide a nursing education to deserving individuals.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be either a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
• Must be admitted and enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
• Additional consideration will be given to a student who has shown leadership qualities and/or success in spite of a difficult family situations such as a family member with a serious illness, long-term unemployment of a parent, or other such hardship

Juanita Burnett Marchand was born in 1927 in Indianapolis, Ind. and from a very young age she knew that taking care of others would be at the root of her career. In December of 1941, while sitting in a freshman study hall, Juanita very much remembered the loud speaker at her school crackling with the message: “This is your President.” The President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was announcing that the United States was at war. In the stunned stillness of the room, a black and white picture came into Juanita’s head of a young dark-haired woman dressed in white, weaving her way through men on a battlefield. She knew at that moment that her desire was to become a nurse. In the late summer of 1945, she began a three-year nursing program in Indianapolis. She held various nursing positions in her lifetime: on medical and surgical floors, in doctor’s offices, in nurseries and in nursing homes. 
To those who receive this scholarship: “I hope you may find satisfaction – even soul satisfaction – in this Healing Modality – always remembering that those we are, and those we serve, are more than bodies. My very best to you, I am thankful I could help with your education. Hang in there, I’m pulling for you,” – Juanita Burnett Marchand, 2015.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen
• Admitted and enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale

Mabel M. Knight was born in Attica, IN in February 1916 and remained a lifelong resident of the area. During her life, Mabel held many positions; she worked as a secretary for the Lux Agency for over 50 years, before retiring in 1987 and she worked part-time as a closing agent for Prairie Homes. She was also a member of the Women of the Moose, served as president of the Women’s Carpenter Auxiliary, was a charter member of the American Motorcycle Association, a member of the Long Center Theatre Organ Society and served as volunteer with the Franciscan Health Lafayette Auxiliary.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be either a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
• Must be admitted and enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

The Nola J. Gentry St. Elizabeth School of Nursing Endowed Scholarship was established by Ned Derhammer in memory and honor of his wife, Nola Gentry. Nola was a true leader in the Greater Lafayette community. She not only served as a Tippecanoe County Commissioner from 1990-1996, but she was a frontrunner in her church and in Indiana agriculture, having been the president of Gentry Farms since 1981. Nola Gentry will always be remembered as a leader who was fun to be around, had an ever-present smile, a positive attitude, a willingness to help and volunteer and the wonderful food she would bring into every carry-in.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be either a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
• Must be admitted and enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Additional consideration will be given to a student who has shown success in spite of difficult family situations, such as a family member with a serious illness, long-term unemployment of a parent or other such hardships.

Richard C. Nelson

Richard C. Nelson was born the sixth of eight children in Brockton MA, and lived through The Great Depression with ten people in a series of five-room tenements. Dick enlisted in the U S Army during the mop-up phase of WW II, and the G.I. Bill served as his “scholarship.” This allowed him the opportunity to become a teacher, then a counselor. He used his profession as a ticket to fulfill his enthusiasm for traveling abroad. He completed a master’s and Ph.D. at Ohio University, and a series of opportunities brought him to Purdue University. During his Purdue years, he served a second enthusiasm by singing with the Cherry Lane Dudes at many retirement and nursing homes. He was on the Purdue counselor education faculty for 32 years, and retired as professor emeritus. Dick was blessed with remarkably good health until he suffered a debilitating stroke just short of his eightieth birthday. He attributes his remarkable recovery to the nursing care he received. He wishes his scholarship to serve as a thank-you to the nurses who cared for him and to those who will care for others in the future.

Betty M. Nelson

Betty M. Nelson grew up in the heart of the Appalachian coal mining country where there was and still is a scarcity of medical services, along with an abundance of chronic health problems. “It is a privilege to encourage new generations of students enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing,” said Betty. From her days as a graduate assistant in a university residence hall, to serving as the Dean of Students at Purdue years later, her career focused on the development of students. Along the way, Betty has been actively involved with the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, the Diversity Round Table, Leadership Lafayette, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, the Purdue Retirees Association, St. Elizabeth Hospital Lay Advisory Council, United Way, YWCA and a host of other organizations. Betty has always worked hard and focused her attention on important ways to help her community. She gets involved and makes a difference whenever and wherever she can. However, the one thing she hasn’t done well? Cooking. She never established a reputation as a decent cook -- always too many other interesting things to do!

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be either a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.
• Additional consideration will be given to a student who represents a population with greater healthcare disparities and access to fewer healthcare professionals. This includes but is not necessarily limited to persons of color.

In 1951, a seventeen-year-old from a small town in northern Indiana stepped off the bus to begin her path to becoming a St. Elizabeth graduate. Sharon was introduced to medicine by her grandfather, a veterinarian, by accompanying him on farm visits and assisting him with all manner of medical procedures. As the oldest of ten children, she was caring for younger siblings while she herself was very young. This stirred her passions for helping others, and that same spirit has continued all her life. Sharon loved her time at nursing school, appreciating the wisdom and instruction of the nuns while making several lifelong friendships with fellow students. Meeting her future husband at a St. Elizabeth dance was clearly a highlight of her time at nursing school. Richard Haby, a young man pursuing a master’s degree in agriculture at Purdue University, became her husband just weeks before her graduation, and they were married for over 65 years. Although she served as a private-duty nurse in different settings, Sharon spent the majority of her life helping her husband in business and caring for their six children and 25 grandchildren. Always others-focused, she is a nurse at heart and has helped many friends, family and neighbors who have benefitted from her medical care and wisdom.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration: 

• Must be enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
• Be an Indiana resident
• Be a level 2, 3, or 4 student

The St. Clare Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship was established through funds raised by the Auxiliary in recognition of more than 50 years of dedicated service given by volunteers supporting quality patient care in Montgomery County at Franciscan Health Crawfordsville.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Applicant must be either a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States in Montgomery county, Indiana.
• Must be admitted and enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing with a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Current high school graduate with award being awarded during their Level One year at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Additional consideration will be given to a student who has shown leadership qualities and/or success in spite of difficult family situations, such as a family member with a serious illness, long-term unemployment of a parent or other such hardships.

The Susan (Hoenigman) Castor Nursing Scholarship was established by her husband, Michael, in 2023. Susan graduated in August 1966 from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. After graduation, she devoted her early years to her marriage, raising her children and caring for her family; but then went on to serve in multiple nursing leadership positions such as the director of nursing for various long-term care facilities and a hospice program administrator. After retiring from the nursing field, she and her husband moved to Pentwater, Michigan where they opened two stores, Air Fun Kites and Pentwater Toy Box, which they owned and operated for 17 years.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

•  Must be currently enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
•  Have a minimum GPA of 3.5
•  Have a financial need

Thomas R. Schilli Nursing Scholarship was established through a planned gift left by Tom to the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing after his passing in April 2021. For over 50 years, Tom owned and operated Schilli Transportation Services, Inc., Schilli Distribution Services, Schilli National Lease. Tom was a big proponent for higher education. After a 13-year battle with a rare form of cancer, he felt the need to support future nurses just as many nurses had supported him during his various cancer treatments.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration: 

• Be enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Have a financial need

The William and Martha Fancher Nursing Scholarship was established by Mrs. Fancher in 2011 to help deserving students achieve their dream of becoming a nurse by offsetting the cost of tuition at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. Mrs. Fancher is an alumnus of the St. Anthony Hospital’s School of Nursing in Terre Haute, Indiana, and worked for a family doctor in Lafayette for many years.

Minimum Criteria for Consideration:

• Must be currently enrolled at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and beginning Level Two, or higher
• Have demonstrated financial need
• Not only a decent student in the classroom, but has a heart for service and compassion for others