Friends of Nursing Awards $180,000 In Nursing Scholarships
It was an honor to be an invited guest again to the annual Friends of Nursing annual spring scholarship luncheon April, 25. It was a bright sunny Saturday held in the new banquet facility at the prestigious Cherry Hills County Club.
The spacious dining room overlooks the club’s championship golf course. The spacious new room accommodated 160 patrons, friends, and nine schools of nursing liaisons present to receive $180,000 nursing scholarships to 35 worthy recipients.
Friends of Nursing was founded in 1981 by Greta Pollard who was present seated with a granddaughter and great granddaughter and just celebrated her 94th birthday one day prior to the event. The audience recognized the “Patron Saint” of nursing with a standing happy birthday salute.
The Master of Ceremonies was radio personality Rick Crandall, 30-year emcee for the annual scholarship events. Crandall is CEO of the Colorado Freedom Memorial in Aurora and recently named Aurora’s “Man-of-The Year” at their recent Chamber awards ceremony.
This year’s theme was “Legacy of Caring,” so well earned by the nation’s nurses who care for all of us in dire times. The 35 honorees will enter a very demanding profession dating back to Florence Nightingale in the very early days of nursing in America.
The newly elected president of FON, Barbara White (chair of the scholarship luncheon), greeted the audience followed by Rev. Bruce Finfrock who blessed the gathering. Devona Troutman led a tribute to Greta Pollard along with her birthday observance. The program proceeded with Crandall skillfully introducing the award recipients. Beautiful, smart young ladies, outnumbering their male counterparts with only a few award winners unable to participate from such far away schools as Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. Crandall using his radio broadcasting talents introduced every award winner and the participants gave plaudits to FON for their generous scholarship awards helping make their academic nursing careers possible. Public speaking, no doubt a challenge before a packed audience of 160 people, but a preview of their upcoming public service in human care and relationships. The nine participating schools of nursing are Adams State University; Colorado Christian University; Colorado Mesa University; Colorado State University, Pueblo; Metropolitan State University; Regis University; University of Colorado; Anshutz Campus; University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; and University of Northern Colorado.
Cynthia Oster, FON second vice-president, chaired the scholarship committee with members Julie Benz, Carla Brown, Tammie Huddle, Devona Troutman, Melanie Wallace, Barbara White, and Carolyn Wolvin.
Friends of Nursing was selected by The Villager Newspaper as our “Nonprofit of The Year” in 2025.
See Scottie Taylor Iverson’s coverage on pages 8 and 9.