01 Feb 2024 Dr. Larry and Carlene Davis Nursing Scholarship established at UACCM
The Dr. Larry and Carlene Davis Nursing Scholarship has been established as a new endowment at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM).
The scholarship, created by UACCM Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Larry and Carlene Davis, is in honor of their daughter, Sara Woods, a nurse in Oklahoma who holds a Master of Science in Nursing. The couple is thrilled to support students who will attend classes in the college’s planned Nursing & Health Center set to open in late 2025 or early 2026.
The endowed scholarship will be awarded based on financial need for full-time students in the Practical Nursing (LPN) and Registered Nursing (RN) programs at UACCM. The recipients must be Arkansas residents. Applicants must have a grade-point average of 2.50 or higher (first-time entering students will use high school GPA) and must submit an essay on the topic “Why I Want to Be a Nurse.” Multiple scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $250 per semester.
“We are so grateful to Dr. Larry and Carlene Davis for their thoughtfulness and generosity,” said Mary Clark, UACCM director of marketing and public relations. “This will be a profound gift for the nursing program and will change many lives.
“Scholarships often make the difference in our students’ ability to attend college and obtain a degree. Many of our students are nontraditional and balancing school, work and family life. With the shortage of nurses growing, this scholarship will provide much-needed healthcare providers in our region.”
The Davises presented a check for more than $25,000 to the UACCM Foundation, which included an amount from a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) retirement plan account. The RMD is the minimum amount retirees must withdraw from their traditional IRA and other retirement plan accounts each year once they reach age 73, according to U.S. tax laws. Davis noted that while the RMD tax plan requires individuals to take money from their annuity each year, those funds awarded to nonprofit organizations are not taxed. He hopes his gift will encourage and inspire others to consider making similar contributions to nonprofit organizations.
