Local Community Ensures Students Can Go Further with TAMIU's Canseco School of Nursing

In August, the Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing learned that the South Texas Workforce Development Board's budget had been cut by almost $5 million for fiscal year 2003. This meant that many of the nursing scholarships previously available would be severely cut and students would need support from other sources.

Dr. Susan Baker, director of the School of Nursing, said that despite that loss, the generosity and foresight of the Laredo community made it possible for the school to assist the students with supplemental funding.

"We are so very grateful to all of our scholarship sponsors for their generous support. Students were taken by surprise by the budget cuts and the notification came too late for them to apply for other outside funds. Many students would not be able to pursue their dreams without financial aid. The Laredo community continues to serve as a model to other communities in actively addressing the critical nursing shortage," said Baker.

Rosa Rayo, Pauline Vásquez, Chantel Escobar, Mario Galván, Aracely Medina and Gerardo Lara received the Canseco Nursing Scholarship. Laura Rodríguez, Sandra Gallegos, and Jessica Hinojosa received the Hachar Nursing Scholarship. Irvette Molina, Chabacana Maxwell received the Epstein Nursing Scholarship. The Lamar Bruni Vergara Nursing Scholarship was given to Rebecca Pérez and Hilda Riojas. The Women's City Club Nursing Scholarship was given to Yvette Villalón and the Doctors Hospital Nursing Scholarship was given to Judith Nicholson

In addition, Dr. Baker said several students are supported by the Mercy Health Systems of Texas BSN Sponsor Agreement: Sara Deleon, Amparo Hinojosa, Angélica Luera, Mónica Raquel Santo, Rosie Taméz and Victorio Tovar, Jr.

For more information about the Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing, please contact Dr. Baker at 326.2450, visit offices in Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall, room 315 or e-mail sbaker@tamiu.edu. University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.