Summer 2013 - Muskegon Community College

Scholarship Recipient Sharon GiffordScholarship Recipient Ready to “Pay it Forward”Sharon Gifford, MuskegonCommunity CollegeNursing Program studentand married motherof two, is well awareof the effects of stress.Academically, her financialstress has been lessenedby receiving scholarshipmonies from the AmosNordman and MuskegonDistrict Nurses funds.Because of the extensivework required tocomplete her nursing degree, Giffordquit her job a year ago to focus onher studies, making the scholarshipsessential in many ways.“Of course, receiving scholarshipsis a great financial help for me andmy family, but italso motivatesme to want to dowell and succeed,”said Gifford. “Nothaving the financialstress of having topay for schoolingout of my ownpocket decreasesthe amount ofstress in my life. Itallows for me toface the stressorsof school with apositive attitude, and has opened myeyes to see how blessed I have beenin my life.”Gifford attended the DonorAppreciation luncheon on a snowyday in February to show hergratitude to the attendees. “I amvery thankful for those donors whoare making my dreams possible,” saidGifford. “Thanks for this opportunity,hopefully this will influence others toapply for scholarships as they are agreat blessing in life.”Gifford graduated as a registerednurse on May 2 at the MCCCommencement in the L. C. WalkerArena.“There are so many people outthere willing to help and all it takesis to apply,” said Gifford,. “Once thisjourney is done, I too hope that I canbe an influence for good and pay itforward to others as others havepaid it forward for me.” •Mysterious Treasures in the College ArchivesWe have instructor photos fromthe past we cannot identify! Ifyou recognize anyone in thesephotos, please contact PaulaMcClurg, the College archivist, atpaula.mcclurg@muskegoncc.eduReflections Magazine 13