Frances Carrillo-Kuenzer

The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation has awarded Vaughn Family Scholarships to Botetourt County residents Frances Carrillo-Kuenzer and Patrick Olson. Both students have completed the first year of the DSLCC Nursing Program and will begin their second year of study at the college this fall. The awards will assist with tuition and book expenses for one year at DSLCC and are part of more than $95,000 the nonprofit educational foundation has awarded in merit and need-based scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year.

The Vaughn Family scholarships were established by Eagle Rock residents Steve and Donna Vaughn and other members of the Vaughn family in honor and memory of Steve’s grandfather, A.E. Vaughn Sr., who was a great believer in providing higher, affordable education for all citizens. Mr. Vaughn worked diligently for funding for DSLCC from Botetourt County and was on the Botetourt County School Board

Patrick Olson

when DSLCC was built — then an extension of Virginia Tech. The scholarship was created to continue his goal of making education accessible to everyone.

For more about Carrillo-Kuenzer and Olson, keep reading.

Carrillo-Kuenzer, an Eagle Rock resident, says she chose the DSLCC Nursing Program because of its “great reputation and is grateful to have such a wonderful school so close to home.

“The program is intense and requires a lot of hard work,” Carrillo-Kuenzer explains, “but it is all worth it. Part of the curriculum includes clinicals, which enable me to get hands-on experience with patients and their families. The instructors are wonderful examples to learn from, and they are by our side, instructing, demonstrating, and encouraging us. I absolutely love being able to help not only the patients, but their families as well, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.”

Carrillo-Kuenzer will complete requirements for an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing next spring and hopes to work as a medical/surgical nurse for at least a year before becoming a specialty nurse, perhaps in obstetrics. She plans to continue her education and will pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing.

Carrillo-Kuenzer is a member of the DSLCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges and has been named at various times to both the Vice President’s and President’s Lists. She is president of the Young Women’s Group of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and also volunteers regularly at Eagle Rock Elementary School.

Carrillo-Kuenzer also received the Louise Kern-Lemon Memorial Nursing Scholarship, which was established by Mrs. Lemon’s children to promote their mother’s love of nursing and the nursing profession. Mrs. Lemon was a dedicated nurse who was a graduate of the C & O Hospital School of nursing.

Olson of Troutville says his mother has had the greatest impact on his decision to enter the nursing profession.

“My mother is a nurse, herself, and has been prominent in encouraging me to pursue my goal of nursing,” explains Olson. “Even at a young age, I was impressed by not only her knowledge of nursing, but also her professionalism and empathy for others. It was through conversations with her that I truly learned what nursing entails and gained the desire to become a nurse.”

After graduating from DSLCC in May 2013 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing, Olson plans to work for at least a year on a medical/surgical unit to gain experience in a variety of nursing skills. He then hopes to transfer to an intensive care or emergency department of a local hospital. Olson also plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing before pursuing a graduate degree as a nurse anesthetist.

Olson also received the Betsy P. Saville Memorial Nursing Scholarship, which was established by Mrs. Saville’s husband, Leon, her daughter Kathy, and by Mrs. William J. Ellis in memory of Mrs. Saville, a caring person who was dedicated to the nursing profession. In addition to her long career as a nurse, Mrs. Saville also served as executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Work Center for 16 years and was very active in her church.

– Submitted by Lynda Thompson, Director, DSLCC Educational Foundation