In May, the Morning Pointe Foundation and the Nursing and Allied Health Division at Chattanooga State Community College celebrated the pinning of two newly-graduated nurses and recent Morning Pointe Scholarship recipients.
Anna Grace Lowery, 2014-2015 Morning Pointe scholar, and Kaitlyn Eldridge, 2015-2016 Morning Pointe scholar, graduated May 6, with registered nursing degrees.
Morning Pointe Senior Living began endowing the nursing scholarship funds at Chattanooga State in 2008.
Since then, the Morning Pointe Foundation established more scholarships to nursing programs in Athens, Greeneville and Jacksboro.
The scholarships aid students who are preparing for careers in senior healthcare. Recipients must demonstrate community volunteerism, academic achievement and a love for the geriatric population.
Ms. Eldridge, who received Summa Cum Laude honors at the pinning ceremony, said she wants to become a nurse practitioner in the aging care field. Her love for geriatrics began when choosing volunteer opportunities with the Beta Club in high school.
“I would always choose The Lantern at Morning Pointe,” she says. “During my time there, I would play games, read books and paint nails. I absolutely fell in love with the Alzheimer’s residents at The Lantern. I plan to remain working with geriatric patients for my nursing career.”
Today, Ms. Eldridge is a nurse tech at Memorial Hospital, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree using the remaining funds from her scholarship.
“The funds I received have completely helped me pay for my nursing education at Chattanooga State and they are also helping me get my bachelor’s degree.” she says. “This scholarship has been such a blessing in my life and I am beyond grateful.”