CEHS Awards $1.4M in Student Scholarships

January 16, 2025
Very Reverend Frederick Q. Lawson and nursing student
The Very Reverend Frederick Q. Lawson, who established the Lawson Fellows Scholarship
program, speaks with nursing students, guests, and Carma Miller, head of nursing, at the
open house of the Advanced Nursing Education Suite.

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) awarded more than 500 scholarships this academic year, totaling over $1.4M in support for undergraduate and graduate students. “This level of generous support by our donors is critical to the success of our many talented, hard-working student recipients,” shared Dean Al Smith. “The impact of these scholarships is not only evident today, but it will be amplified in the future as our students graduate and meet the critical education, health, and well-being needs of our communities throughout their careers.”

Throughout the college, each department has built relationships with generous donors who contribute yearly scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. Many of these alumni donors have created endowed scholarships, which ensures that after a donor has passed their legacy will continue in CEHS with their scholarship funds.

New donor and CEHS alumna Sue Williams explains that the reason she wanted to establish a scholarship in education was to follow in the professional footsteps of her educator parents. “I was a junior at Utah State University 35 years ago majoring in elementary education and early childhood development. I had come to Utah State on a scholarship that covered my tuition. I found a job at Utah State to pay for rent and food, but my junior year I realized I wasn’t going to be able to afford books and fees,” says Williams. “A professor at USU told me there were scholarships available for students in my field and encouraged me to apply. I did apply and was grateful to receive a scholarship from a generous donor who had been an elementary school teacher for many years.”

Williams concludes, “I remember sitting at the USU banquet where they announced the scholarships and being so thankful that someone was kind enough to give me the opportunity to continue my education. I promised myself that if I were ever in the position to pay it forward, I would.”

A first-generation college student in education, who was the first recipient of Williams’ scholarship wrote in 2023, “I’ve often had to navigate the duties of college alone. My husband lost his job four months ago and just yesterday, I was stressing over how I was going to pay for my last semester at USU this fall. I am sitting in my car in tears, considering this one of the biggest miracles of my life. I cannot express my gratitude enough.”

In 2017, the Very Reverend Frederick Q. Lawson, an ordained priest in the Anglican Communion and grandnephew of Emma Eccles Jones (namesake of the college) established the Lawson Fellows scholarship program for nursing students seeking their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Lawson’s dedication to nursing education is evident by the scholarships he provides for nearly every nursing student. Since its inception, the Lawson Fellows Scholarship has provided hundreds of scholarships for nursing students.

Department Head of Nursing Carma Miller said, “Our students, faculty, and I are each individually grateful for this extraordinary generosity, which transforms the lives of our nursing students. This legacy of giving provided by the Very Reverend Rick Lawson ensures that almost every BSN student in our program can pursue their education and prepare for their future calling of caring without financial barriers, creating a lasting impact on the future of healthcare.”

Recipient students in CEHS have expressed gratitude for their scholarships through letters. Second-year nursing student Valerie Clark wrote, “Receiving this scholarship has undoubtedly been a blessing in my life. This is my second year receiving your scholarship (Father Lawson) and it has made all the difference for me. Last semester I was so close to dropping out because I couldn’t pay rent. This money really does mean something to me!”

Currently enrolled nursing student Jacey Davis shared, “I am a first-generation college student. No one in my family has ever received a bachelor’s degree before. It made me feel very proud to be able to tell them that not only did I get accepted into the nursing program, but I was also one of the recipients of the Lawson Fellows Scholarship. The scholarship means a great deal to me and will help me continue my education.”

Through the CEHS scholarships program many private donors and corporations are financially assisting students so they can complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees. These generous donations have created a legacy of giving that continues to grow each academic year.

Kelsey Lamb, a senior in the elementary education program, shared, “Receiving a scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year has allowed me to pursue my academic goals without the financial stress that often comes with college. In class, I can focus fully on learning, free from the worry of managing tight finances. This relief not only helps me achieve my academic goals but also gives me the time and energy to give back to Utah State through my on-campus job and leadership roles.”

Harriet Rasmussen, longtime donor, former member of the Emma Eccles College of Education and Human Services Advancement board, and CEHS alumna said, “It has been most gratifying to reward achievement and make a difference in the lives of the students. My husband and I have tried to encourage those students who receive our scholarship(s) to begin immediately after he or she graduates to give $50 or $100—just a small amount they can afford—a year and increase the amount as finances allow. Giving then becomes a habit for them.”

For more information on scholarships, please visit the webpage.