Faculty Association scholarships awarded

ETHAN HENDRICKS
Staff Writer
staffwriter3@occc.edu

Chris Lusk/Pioneer
Nine students were awarded a $250 Faculty Association Scholarship for the fall semester. Back (l-r): Jennifer Pearsall, diversified studies major; Kandice Edwards, nursing major; Melissa Ethridge, physical therapy assistant major; Aurelien Quillet, biology major; Kelly Lail, nursing major; Front (l-r): Amber Sims, physical therapy assistant major; Renee Thomas, physical therapy assistant major; Alisha O’Lague, accounting major, and Andrea Adams, business administration major.

The Faculty Association Scholarship Committee recently awarded $250 scholarships to nine students for the spring semester, said Linda Boatright, scholarship committee co-chair.

The winners are Andrea Adams, Kandice Edwards, Melissa Ethridge, Kelly Lail, Alisha O’Lague, Jennifer Pearsall, Aurelien Quillet, Amber Sims and Renee Thomas.

“I was surprised to be nominated,” said Sims, a physical therapy assistant major and sports assistant.

“And I was even more surprised to be chosen as a recipient of the award. Being awarded the scholarship makes me feel what I’m doing isn’t going unnoticed.”

Thomas, also a PTA major, said she appreciated being chosen. “I mean, any little bit helps in regard to paying tuition in college.”

Lail, a nursing major, said she was shocked to have been selected. “I live in Chickasha so I will probably use the money for transportation.”

Edwards, also a nursing major, said she is grateful for the scholarship. “I buy a lot of study books so I will probably use the money to buy books.”

Adams, a business administration major, said, “I was very, very happy. But at the same time I was like, ‘They picked me?’”

Quillet, a biology major, is an international student from Normandy, France. “I will probably use the money to help pay for my tuition next semester.”

Ethridge, another PTA major, said she is excited to win. “I mean, I called my mom, my mother-in-law, and my husband. I’ll probably use the money to buy Christmas presents!”

Boatright, circulation and reference librarian, said the committee had 23 applicants.

She said the selection process wasn’t easy.

“All of the recommended students were the cream of the crop at OCCC,” Boatright said.

If applicants are really close, the committee considers the students’ level of campus involvement.

“Then we examine their participation in clubs, volunteer work and their level of activity in campus life,” Boatright said.

The Faculty Association raised the money for the scholarships through several methods including selling beverages at the fall arts festival and holding a garage sale.

In the spring the group will host a craft and bake sale.