The Western New Mexico University Foundation recently awarded four scholarships to nursing students enrolled at WNMU for the 2018/2019 academic year. The scholarships were all made possible by donations from one family that has been providing scholarship support to WNMU students for 17 years.
Silver City’s Martin family created the Robert and Ione Martin Scholarship, the Frank and Bernice Parrish Scholarship, the Robert and Ione Martin State Match Scholarship and the Frank and Bernice Parrish State Match Scholarship, which were awarded to WNMU students Jeffrey Arrington, Amanda Mondello, Celina Sircy and Mikaela (Morris) Turner, respectively.
“It is our pleasure to give scholarships, and we are proud of all nursing students and the exceptional program offered at WNMU,” said Bob Martin, who is a longtime WNMU Foundation supporter and the owner of Western Bank in Silver City.
Recipients of the WNMU Foundation’s Martin family scholarships are selected annually through a competitive application process, and awardees are chosen based on their standout academic progress, dedication to the nursing profession and financial need, among other criteria.
A committee made up of Martin family members, WNMU Foundation staff and WNMU nursing faculty collaborated in the selection process.
Bob presented the scholarships at his place of business on Thursday, September 6.
“It’s a special and moving moment when a student gets to meet and say thank you to someone who was a stranger but who is supporting their educational goals,” said WNMU Foundation Director Jodi Edens-Crocker. “Facilitating privately funded scholarships is one of the most important roles the University Foundation has in directly supporting our students and helping to alleviate financial obstacles to their degree completion. The impact of the mutual benefit to both donors and the university is why we exist.”