The Gift of Giving
November 28, 2016
MSU’s College of Nursing gave $211,000 at the 2016 Scholarships and Awards Ceremony in October. Without these generous contributions from donors, many students would not have the opportunity to pursue their dreams at MSU. This especially rings true for ACCESS senior Kelly McKee, who received the Terry Brennan Viau and Robert Viau Undergraduate Student Scholarship for the second year in a row.
Words of Gratitude for Investing in Me
I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Viau for blessing my family and I and allowing me to continue my dreams of becoming a nurse.
I knew that I wanted to be a nurse since my sophomore year in high school. I am the youngest of six children in a close-knit Sicilian family. The reason that I chose to be a nurse is because of how much I enjoyed nurturing my 10 nieces and nephews. That is why I plan on going into pediatrics.
I applied to the ACCESS program my senior year in high school and was ecstatic when I was chosen. I first met Dr. Terry Viau during orientation four years ago. She has continued to be a role model and inspiration ever since. Not only did she and the ACCESS program support me, but she has always been kind and compassionate towards me. You can truly tell that she cares about her pupils by the way she radiates love and warmth.
The ACCESS program not only supported me through these two scholarships but also through monthly stipends. It has been a true blessing and has saved my family and I combined over ($12,500). This has allowed me to afford multiple semesters, purchase my textbooks, my laptop, food, and additional expenses for nursing school. I cannot express how much I appreciate your generosity and your investment in me.
The ACCESS program also provided me with tutoring from graduate assistants, practice with monthly NCLEX questions, and guided us along the way by ensuring that we were taking the appropriate classes and credits to graduate on time. Because of the ACCESS program, I have been able to continue pursuing my nursing bachelor’s degree and have had amazing experiences through clinical and classes.
I would like to say thank you to all of my mentors in the ACCESS program, thank you to all who have donated to the ACCESS program, and finally thank you Dr. Terry Viau and Robert Viau for all of your support and generosity.
Join Spartans everywhere on Giving Tuesday.
#GiveTueMSU
