Annual Kay and Douglas Ivester Scholarship supports health science students

Brenau University Downtown Center
Signage for the Ivester College of Health Sciences at the Brenau University Downtown Center. The Downtown Center is home to the Brenau University Department of Physical Therapy. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
From left to right, Douglas Ivester, Kay Ivester and Brenau President Ed Schrader react to seeing the new scrubs for students of the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing during the dedication of the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
From left to right, Douglas Ivester, Kay Ivester and Brenau President Ed Schrader react to seeing the new scrubs for students of the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing during the dedication of the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)

Thanks to the generosity of Doug and Kay Ivester, eight health science students at Brenau University are one step closer to working in the industry.

The Kay and Douglas Ivester Scholarship, awarded annually, goes to deserving students in the Ivester College of Health Sciences.

Nursing student Lauren Bearden, who will graduate in May 2019 with her RN, BSN, said the Ivester Scholarship has been “such a blessing for me during my time at Brenau University.”

“It has really allowed me to not be as stressed about finances as I work toward reaching my goals,” Bearden said. “I decided in 2015 that I wanted to be a nurse after my boyfriend suffered from a terrible motor vehicle accident. The way those nurses rallied around him and truly cared for him was something I had never witnessed before. Almost immediately, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a positive light in a dark time for my patients, like they were for us. I cannot thank the Ivesters enough for their generous contribution to my education and helping me reach my goals.”

Martis Ferguson transferred to Brenau so he could attend the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing. For years, he has worked at Northeast Georgia Medical Center to gain experience and pay for school. Prior to receiving the Ivester Scholarship, Ferguson was worried about dropping hours at the hospital to handle his studies, because he was relying on the money to pay for his education.

“I am so grateful for the generosity that this family has shown toward me and others to help us to pay for our education,” Ferguson said. “Without the help of the Ivesters, I would probably not be able to attend school. Thank you again and again for all that y’all do.”

Fellow nursing student Ken Freeman said he is honored to be a recipient of the scholarship.

“Thanks to this generous support, I am able to pursue a lifelong dream of mine,” he said. “Since being named one of the recipients, my dream is becoming a reality at Brenau, leading me to practice nursing out in the community and become what I have always wanted to be: a superhero. I am unwaveringly appreciative of educational scholarships like the Ivester Scholarship.”

This year, the recipients of the Kay and Douglas Ivester Scholarship are:

  • Lauren Bearden, a nursing student from Cumming, Georgia
  • Madison Cronic, a pre-exercise science major from Winder, Georgia
  • Haley Eubanks, a nursing student from Dawsonville, Georgia
  • Martis Ferguson, a nursing student from Gainesville, Georgia
  • Kendarius Freeman, a nursing student from Bethlehem, Georgia
  • Madison Higginbotham, a nursing student from Hoschton, Georgia
  • Jessica Ray, a nursing student from Winder, Georgia
  • Lusonda Simmons, a nursing student from Snellville, Georgia