September 16, 2024
Students from East Texas Baptist University’s Teague School of Nursing were recently honored with the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship, generously provided by the Jerry and Jack Cargill family in partnership with ETBU. A total of 31 local nursing students were recognized during a ceremony held at the Marshall Grand on Wednesday, September 11, with ETBU accounting for 22 of the recipients.
The Cargill brothers created the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship in memory of their mother, Polly Cargill, whose exceptional care by nurses at Good Shepherd Marshall Hospital left a lasting impression. The scholarship aims to empower students in East Texas to become skilled, compassionate nurses while honoring Polly Cargill’s legacy.
The ETBU nursing students honored were Emma Bevel, Hannah Blaha, Baylie Colston, Hayley Davis, Paige Grissom, Bryanne Izaguirre, Sarah Jones, Jessica Kuhlman, Julia Lamb, Abigail Lucas, Joseph Maique, Melissa Martinez-Chavez, Kaitlyn Moore, Abryana Odom, Avery Reid, Angela Sanchez, Kennedy Tucker, Christian Walbridge, Elizabeth Watkins, Hannah Wrinkle, Elizabeth Wynne, and Ashlyn Wynne. Nursing students from Panola College, Kilgore College, and the University of Texas at Tyler also received Polly Cargill scholarships.
This year’s event marked the 22nd anniversary of the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship, which has now supported over 130 nursing students from various schools across the East Texas region. Recipients gathered at the ceremony to receive recognition from both their educational institutions and the scholarship’s founders.
“In 2002, in the final days of her life, our mother received the best health care. The very best care from nurses,” Jerry Cargill shared. “It was then we decided to begin this scholarship initiative. Today, we need more nurses than we’ve ever needed in the history of our country. We are pleased with how this initiative has grown and we look forward to awarding our 200th scholarship in the next 5 years. It’s amazing to see each of you here in such a great place, with such wonderful opportunities, in amazing schools.”
Following the recognition of the scholarship recipients, Dean for ETBU’s Teague School of Nursing Dr. Nicole Fant offered a charge to the future nurses and healthcare professionals in the room.
“Being a recipient of something such as the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship is a pleasant reminder that God always provides us with what we need when we are doing His work and following His plan,” Dr. Fant shared. “The Lord’s provision is comprehensive and complete. As a nursing student and a future nurse, you are in a position to share the gospel with your patients, colleagues, peers, families and communities in which you will work. Remembering God's provision in your life and being thankful for it can give you a framework from which to share God's love, especially with people who are struggling physically.”
The Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship continues to play a vital role in shaping the next generation of nurses, fostering both professional excellence and compassionate care in the East Texas region.
“I want to personally thank the family of Polly Cargill for their continued commitment to be the church, as Paul provided us the example of, by giving to meet the financial needs of nursing students,” Dr. Fant continued. “May God continue to bless them as they bless others who will serve for His glory. And to the nursing students, may you embrace this journey with open hearts and live out your faith with confidence that God indeed will supply for all your needs.”