A Dream Realized

Spring 2016 - Stefanie Anderson always knew she wanted a career in healthcare. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in nutrition, she set her sights on nursing school.

The myriad ways she could fulfill her calling through the nursing profession had compelled Stefanie to continue her studies, but her previous degree and the debt connected to it limited her options for funding.

"It's harder to get financial aid when you already have a degree, so scholarships are more important for earning another degree," Stefanie said.

Undeterred, she sought a robust and rigorous program that would effectively prepare her for a successful nursing career and hoped that somehow an opportunity would emerge.

An opened door

A desire to attend Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing drew Stefanie back to her hometown of Dallas. Small class sizes and individualized attention made Baylor her school of choice.

She planned on living with her parents and participating in Baylor's accelerated FastBacc nursing program in order to save money, but she knew these savings wouldn't be adequate to cover the necessary expenses.

"There was a time when I thought I might not be able to attend Baylor," Stefanie said.

However, guided by Baylor's dedicated financial aid staff, Stefanie benefited from a number of endowed scholarships, including the D.M. Edwards Endowed Scholarship Fund in Nursing in Honor of Judge Abner V. and Mary Wilson McCall. The vital assistance for Baylor students provided by such endowed scholarships comes from both lifetime gifts and the purposeful planning of estate gifts.

Prepared to succeed

Stefanie said the qualities of a Baylor education that drew her to the Nursing School have been affirmed by her subsequent experience as a student.

"Our labs and clinicals typically have a small number of students, so you always have instructors to help if you don't understand something," she said. "Baylor nursing students are as ready as we can be when we go to the hospital because we've had time in lab with instructors one on one."

Set to graduate in May, Stefanie looks forward to a bright future knowing she is ready to succeed.

"I received one of the best nursing educations possible," Stefanie said. "Saying 'thank you' isn't even close to enough to express my gratitude for the financial support I was given."