Prairieland Hospice Foundation, traditionally known for its compassionate services in Galesburg, has expanded its benevolence to education by donating $10,000 to the Black Hawk College Foundation. This generous donation has paved the way for five new scholarships aimed at supporting four nursing students and one EMS student for the 2024-25 academic year. Each recipient has been granted $500 to help cover educational expenses. This initiative not only underscores the foundation’s commitment to community welfare but also emphasizes the critical need for trained healthcare professionals. Scholarship recipient Akos Tiwa expressed heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing the significant relief the scholarship provides amidst the financial challenges of nursing school. Another recipient, Tyler Kline, shared his passion for public service and how this scholarship supports his dream of becoming a paramedic, continuing a family tradition in public service roles. The Black Hawk College Foundation appreciates this crucial support, which significantly alleviates financial pressures for students, allowing them to concentrate on their training and future careers in the healthcare sector.
“We want to do something for the community,” said Dr. Jim Cecil, a retired physician and president of the Prairieland Hospice Foundation. “Education is the key,” he said. “I’m a great believer in education.”
Akos Tiwa of Moline, an Associate Degree Nursing student, is one of the scholarship recipients. “Nursing school is hard and expensive,” she wrote in her thank you letter. “Knowing the expenses that come with nursing school, I started to worry about how to pay for it all. “I sincerely thank you for your generosity and support in assisting me to advance my education because of these donations,” she wrote. “You are unquestionably big helpers to Black Hawk College students.”
Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the Black Hawk College Foundation, said the generosity of the Prairieland Hospice Foundation provides vital support to students who are training to become the skilled and compassionate caregivers the community needs. “We are deeply grateful to Prairieland Hospice Foundation of Galesburg for investing in our nursing and EMS students,” she said. “Because of Prairieland’s help, these students can focus fully on their education and future careers in health care.”