At Waynesburg University, the principles of faith, service and learning have been crucial to the fundamental values of the university. Those values are included as part of the university’s mission statement.
Surrounding organizations have recognized this, and in a few cases, have awarded students for their commitment to service, while continuing their academic career.
This year, the auxiliary of Washington Health System Greene has established a new scholarship for Waynesburg
University students in the Health Science fields.
Three $1,000 scholarships have been awarded to Waynesburg University students. Vincent Morrow, Hannah Widdup and Emily Ozohonish each recieved the scholarship.
“I think one of the goals behind this scholarship that the auxiliary had was to provide more volunteer work with the organizations to help fund the hospital,” said Kelley Hardie, assistant dean of students, about the scholarship program.
Qualifying for the award was not easy, as there were many requirements that students had to meet before being able to apply for
the scholarship.
“The student must commit to volunteering 50 hours of community service with Washington Health Systems Greene, they have to have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and be majoring in some aspect of Health Sciences,” said Hardie. “They must have already earned 25 credits, be enrolled as a full time student at Waynesburg University and their permanent home address must be from Greene County, Pennsylvania.”
Students were permitted to choose between three organizations within Washington Health System Greene to complete their hours with.
Students could volunteer through the hospital, in the lobby shop or at the Cherry Door, a local thrift store where all proceeds go back to the hospital.
Completing their 50 hours via any of these options fulfills the commitment to service needed for the scholarship.
Hardie talked about the medium from student to auxiliary and those who have met those requirements.
“The auxiliary approached me about this scholarship opportunity. So, I coordinate and log all of the students’ hours and I work in partnership with the auxiliary,” said Hardie.
Students who met the various requirements were sent an application via email before the three winners were chosen. The three students that were selected stay on top of their hours.
“All three of these students have achieved all of their service hours for last semester and are continuing on for this semester,” said Hardie.
The scholarship offer from the auxiliary shows that organizations around the community not only recognize Waynesburg University for their outstanding students, but also for their service leadership.
This is what lends these organizations to invest in the future education of students.
For now, this scholarship is only for this year.
Hardie is hopeful however that the auxiliary continues to maintain sufficient funds to extend the scholarship program next year and for years to follow because of how greatly it benefits students.
“I just think this is a fantastic opportunity for our students within Greene County continuing their education, especially within the Health Science fields,” said Hardie. “It also shows that Waynesburg University has a fantastic service partnership with many of these organizations and they are willing to assist our students to further their educational careers.”