In July 2016, Laurene Ann Opdyke, wife of former Saudi Aramco pilot Richard Opdyke, passed away. While living in the Kingdom from 1980 to 1985 and again from 1997 to 2000, Laurene served as a nurse, dedicating herself to helping others. In loving memory, Richard established the Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship. Three new scholarships are to be awarded this year. If you know of anyone who would qualify for this scholarship, please forward them a link to this article.
A letter from Richard:
Dear Friends of Laurene,
In 2018, the Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship will be awarding three $2,500 scholarships to nursing students in their junior or senior year. The applicants must be enrolled in a program leading toward licensure as a professional Registered Nurse – either through a bachelor or a diploma nursing program. (The scholarship particulars can be found below.)
My main purpose is to generate awareness, promote interest and, hopefully, encourage qualified applicants for this scholarship. So, if you know of anyone who would qualify for this scholarship, please have them contact the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. To set up the scholarship application, go to www.occf.org, click Scholarships, and then click Application Process, if you find it hard just click here. If the applicant needs help, there are names of individuals, their phone numbers and email addresses, who will be most happy to assist the applicant in the application process.
I chose the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity because it works with donors and charitable organizations. The Foundation is one of the region’s most trusted and credible organizations. It manages over 1,300 funds and has net assets of over $860 million. More information can be obtained through the Foundation’s website: www.occf.org.
As I stated before, my main purpose is to encourage qualified applicants, but if you want to join me in supporting this scholarship, you can click here or please send your tax-deductible charitable donation to:
Oklahoma City Community Foundation
P.O. Box 1146
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1146
Please make a note your donation is for the Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship.
Thank you all,
Richard
Oklahoma City Community Foundation
Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship
Mission Statement: The Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship fund was established in 2016 by Richard Opdyke in memorial of his wife, Laurene Ann Opdyke. The scholarship honors the long-time nursing career of Laurene who worked, taught and served as a nurse for over 50 years.
This scholarship is intended to support students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Nursing during their junior and senior years of schooling at a not-for-profit accredited four-year school. Eligible applicants may also be pursuing a Diploma Nursing Program leading toward licensure as a professional Registered Nurse. Laurene herself attended and graduated from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing where she received a Diploma in Nursing (now part of the St. Luke's University Health Network); St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing is the oldest nursing school in the country.
Eligibility Requirements of Application:
- Applicants must be admitted into a bachelor of nursing program/ applicants may apply during their sophomore and/ or junior year of school. Awards are distributed during a recipient's junior and senior years of college.
- Eligible applicants may also be pursuing a Diploma Nursing Program leading toward licensure as a professional Registered Nurse.
- Unweighted GPA greater than or equal to 3.0.
- Preference will be given to applicants with financial need.
- This award is renewable for up to two consecutive years; an unweighted GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 is required to be considered for renewal.
Preferences in Scholarship Recipient Selection: An eligible applicant must attend a not-for-profit, accredited four-year school in the United States with a BN program. The scholarship selection committee will give equal consideration to academic performance and leadership/ participation in nursing activities and community service. Applicants' essay, resume, transcript, and letter of recommendation will be used to conduct the review.
Other Criteria: Applicants will be required to submit (1) an essay (Topic: TBD), (2) one letter of recommendation from a nursing teacher, academic advisor, or supervisor, (3) a resume, (4) a transcript, and (5) a FAFSA.
Scholarship Type and Status: The Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship is a renewable award for up to two consecutive years; an unweighted GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 is required to be considered for renewal.
Scholarship Recipient Selection Process: Selection process of recipient for this scholarship will occur by the following process: selection by a committee appointed by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (usually comprised of staff and retired educators).
Read obituary for Laurene Ann Opdyke.