The Northwest State Community College Foundation proudly awarded more than $650,000 in scholarships to over 300 students from throughout northwest Ohio. These marks surpass last year’s record totals, offering needed financial help to students through the generosity of donors to the NSCC Foundation.
On Thursday, April 11th, students and donors filled the NSCC Atrium to celebrate the accomplishments of the students and offer gratitude for the support of local donors.
“Many Northwest State students balance school, family and work,” according to Robbin Wilcox, Executive Director of Development & the NSCC Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our students are able to keep the focus on getting the best-possible education, and opening doors to great career opportunities with family-sustaining wages.”
NSCC Student story of impact – Kimberly Clingaman
Student Speaker Kimberly Clingaman shared an emotional story of how personal tragedy gave her the strength to continue her education. Clingaman, a nursing student at Northwest State, was diagnosed with type I diabetes at 11 years old, thinking she was “doomed to have a terrible life.” At age 24, Kimberly became pregnant with a son, Clayton. For the next ten years, the family was in and out of the hospital with their son, and Clayton endured 17 surgeries – 15 of which were brain-related procedures. Tragically, Clayton succumbed to pneumonia in the summer of 2018, but the care and compassion the nurses showed him and the family compelled Kimberly to continue her studies at Northwest State in her son’s honor.
Clingaman received both the First In My Family and Changing Lives scholarships at this year’s ceremony. The conclusion of her speech to the capacity audience summed it up best: “The past two years, I have been a recipient of the Changing Lives scholarship. Which is so fitting, because all I want to do is change lives by becoming a nurse and helping others. One day, I hope to be able to give back as you have, and start a memorial scholarship in Clayton’s honor.”
