Donors, nursing scholarship recipients recognized during 2026 Scholarship Luncheon
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — The WVU School of Nursing recently hosted the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon at the Erickson Alumni Center, inviting student scholarship recipients and donors to spend time with one another during an afternoon meal and presentation.
“The generosity of our donors lifts financial burdens and other barriers our students face so that they can fully focus on their education,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor.
During the event, undergraduate student Laci Sears and graduate student Briana Janice Gradie were invited to share how scholarships have impacted them.
“My family didn’t quality for need-based aid, and with three children attending college within three years of each other, I knew I would need additional support,” shared Sears, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student.
She took a job at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, where she was able to not only earn money but gain insight into her chosen profession.
“However, nursing school is demanding, and balancing work with long hours of studying quickly became a challenge,” Sears said. “Because donors chose to invest in students like me, I was able to reduce my work hours and focus more on my education.”
Gradie, who is working on her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree, said scholarships have had a major impact on her.
“It helps a lot, not just financially but for stability, to give me a chance to breathe and to feel recognized for the effort I’m putting into something, to know I’m not doing it alone,” Gradie said. “That little bit of extra support, it goes a long way.”
The following donors were recognized for the scholarships they have provided:
- Dr. Beth Beck, for the Beth Nass Tallman Memorial Nursing Scholarship
- Debra L. Harr, for the Debra L. Harr Nursing Scholarship
- Jeanette Bendula, for the Hazel Anne Johnson Graduate Nursing Scholarship
- Natalie Bush, for the Natalie and Wes Bush Graduate Nursing Scholarship and the Thelma Marion Ferrise Nursing Scholarship
- Rosella Bridgeman and Dr. Craig Bridgeman, for the Rosella Herrick Bridgeman Nursing Scholarship
- Dr. Sandra (Sam) Cotton and Dr. Karen McKay, for the Charles L. Cotton Memorial Scholarship
- Suzy Warman and JC Warman, for the Margaret Fae Perry Nursing Scholarship
The following students were recognized for their receipt of the following scholarships:
- Laci Sears, receiving the Jenny Jones Memorial Nursing Scholarship and the Debra L. Harr Nursing Scholarship
- Alexandra Stevens, receiving the Delaney Wykle Memorial Scholarship
- Tyrese Selinger, receiving the Greta B. Stevens Scholarship
- Briana Janice Gradie, receiving the Heather Miller Graduate Scholarship
- Sophia Hall, receiving the WV Nurses Association Scholarship
- Evan Warne, receiving the Thelma Marion Ferrise Nursing Scholarship
If you are interested in making a donation to this or any other program at the WVU School of Nursing, please contact Dr. Kimberly Colebank, Development Director, at kcolebank@wvuf.org or 304-554-0237.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu