Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, left, presents Susan Copeland with a certificate acknowledging Copeland’s gift to the Wallace State Future Foundation establishing the Susan M. Copeland Endowed Scholarship to benefit WSCC Nursing students.
HANCEVILLE – Students at Wallace State Community College in need of some financial assistance to make their dream of becoming a nurse come true have will one more option in the form of a new scholarship. Susan Copeland, an instructor for the WSCC Department of Nursing, recently established the Susan M. Copeland Endowed Scholarship. The fund will provide one scholarship up to $2,500 annually beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year through the Wallace State Future Foundation.
“Thank you for investing in our students,” Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics told Copeland.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must be accepted into and enrolled in the Nursing program and have a financial need. There are no other stipulations in regard to GPA or ACT scores.
“I would hate to disqualify someone because they’re not an A student,” Copeland said of seeking no restrictions other than those required to be admitted into the program. “I have found many times it’s not the ones who excel and it comes easy for them in the classroom, but it’s that average student that can be very intentional, very compassionate, and really has that desire to be a nurse. They may never make that great grade on a test, but they pass the course. They may be average in classwork but above average in bedside nursing.”
Copeland, who is also currently serving as the Chair of the Cullman County Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, said in her time at Wallace State she’s seen first-hand the need for more scholarships for students in the Nursing program. She’s seen how successful graduates have been and the reputation Wallace State’s program has earned in the medical community.
“We have a wonderful program,” she said. “We get such accolades from our clinical affiliates and people seeking our graduates. I’m just honored to be a small part of that. I think this is an opportunity to pay it forward.
“And when you think about the world of nursing being an art and a discipline and trying to instill that into student, knowing somehow and someway this [scholarship] might impact the lives of countless people that they’re going to impact as a professional nurse,” Copeland added. “I think it’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
The Susan M. Copeland Endowed Scholarship will be administered by the Wallace State Community College Future Foundation. Donations to the fund will be accepted through the Foundation. For more information, contact Suzanne Harbin at 256-352-8144 or Suzanne.harbin@wallacestate.edu. To make contributions or learn more about the Future Foundation, visit www.wsccfuturefoundation.org.
