There are now seven $2,500 scholarships available.
Dear Friends of Laurene,
I have some exciting news. Starting June 1, 2022, the number of scholarships available will increase from five to seven!
My only request is for you to help me find qualified candidates for these scholarships and encourage them to apply. In 2020, of the five recipients, one was from Oklahoma and four were from New Mexico. Last year, the recipients came from Oklahoma (3), New Mexico (1) and North Carolina (1). There is no restriction on a candidate’s state of residence or the state where the accredited school is located.
Thank you for supporting this program,
Richard
Richard Opdyke is a former pilot for the Saudi Aramco Aviation Department. His wife Laurene, who was a nurse in Saudi Arabia, passed away on July 30, 2016. These scholarships are in her honor.
A letter from Richard:
Dear Friends of Laurene,
The Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship will be awarding seven $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 at occf.academicworks.com/opportunities/3999.
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 learn more about the application process, go to occf.org, click Scholarships and then click Applicants from the menu. 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. For 2022, the application must be in by June 1, 2022.
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 charitable organizations. It manages over 2800 funds and has total assets of over $1.6 billion. More information can be obtained through the Foundation's web site: 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, please send your tax deductible charitable contribution to:
Oklahoma City Community Foundation
P.O. Box 1146
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1146
Please note that your donation is for the Laurene Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship.
Thank you all,
Richard S. Opdyke
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 the obituary for Laurene Ann Opdyke.