The Amy Northwood Hamilton Nursing Scholarship will provide financial assistance to students enrolled in the BA/BS to BSN program at West Liberty University.
West Liberty University has a new endowed scholarship available to students who are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree via its BA/BS to BSN program. The Amy Northwood Hamilton Nursing Scholarship was established via donation from the Honorable David B. McKinley and Mary McKinley in honor of Amy Northwood Hamilton, David B. McKinley’s grandmother.
According to an article on West Liberty University’s website, David B. McKinley, who served as the U.S. Representative for West Virginia’s 1st Congressional district and as a member of the WV House of Delegates, explained his reasoning for endowing the scholarship, saying, “Nurses are an indispensable component of the healthcare system in America but a shortage exists. Hopefully, this scholarship will help make transitioning into the BSN program less challenging. Secondly, it recognizes my grandmother’s passion for West Liberty University and its mission.”
Amy Northwood Hamilton had a long history of service to West Liberty University, beginning back when the school was still called West Liberty State College as the Resident Director in Shaw Hall. When she turned 65 and reached the age of mandatory retirement, she served as dormitory mother at Bethany and Wheeling Colleges. Mary McKinley was a critical care nurse for more than 45 years herself, adding to David B. McKinley’s desire to support West Liberty University nursing students with this scholarship.
Betsy Delk, who serves as the Executive Director of the West Liberty University Foundation, shared, “We are deeply thankful to David and Mary McKinley for their visionary support. This endowed scholarship will be an important resource for students in the BS/BA to BSN program who, after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in another field, decide to pursue a degree in nursing. This scholarship will support our students and help meet the critical need for nurses in our region.”
Echoing these sentiments, Barbara Kulpa, the Assistant Professor of Nursing and Program Chair, shared, “This scholarship is especially beneficial to adult learners who may need to temporarily leave the workforce to earn their BSN degree. The support this scholarship provides will ease financial pressures and allow students to focus on their education.”
For more information about West Liberty University, visit the school’s website.