By Brittani Wright

Five nursing students received scholarships from the University Rotary Club Wednesday, Sept. 18. Dr. Poldi Tschirch, dean of nursing, was invited to speak at the Rotary Club when the scholarships were awarded to the students.

The five scholarships were divided in individual amounts totaling $6,000. UST nursing students were the only ones to receive scholarships from Rotary Club. What made them stand out was their ability to describe the holistic philosophy they are learning at Peavy School of Nursing.

“Peavy School of Nursing is deeply grateful to the University Area Rotary Club for their generosity to our students,” Tschirch said. “In addition, I was particularly moved by the fact that not only did they offer formal scholarships, but they did personal fundraising after learning that two student nurses had their laptops and textbooks stolen from their car the day before. Rotary members Joe Ridley and Larry Blair raised $800 and gave each student $400 to cover the mishap.”

Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, the world's first service club organization.

Rotary Areas of Focus include:

• Promoting peace
• Fighting disease
• Providing clean water
• Saving mothers and children
• Supporting Education
• Growing local economies