Whitney Snyder, RN, is the first recipient of IUSON BL's Kate Pedigo Scholarship. An ICU nurse at IU Health Bloomington Hospital, Whitney will graduate from our RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Option in May 2021.
Making a difference
by Becky Jessmer, Assistant Director of Development
When Kate Pedigo’s Uncle Mark established the Kate Pedigo Scholarship, he was looking to award the scholarship to a nursing student who demonstrated “sweat equity” (as he called it) and who worked just as hard as Kate had when earning her BSN through our RN to BSN Online Degree Completion Option.
IUSON BL proudly announces Whitney Snyder as the first recipient of the Kate Pedigo Scholarship. Whitney clearly demonstrates the determination to overcome challenges and the strong work ethic that personifies the Kate Pedigo Scholarship award.
Whitney’s path to her BSN is an interesting one. In 2015, while progressing toward her first undergraduate degree, Whitney started working in critical care as a patient care technician. As a student, her mind was set on a neuroscience major, with thoughts of becoming a doctor. However, as her work in the ICU progressed, she started paying attention to the all-important role that nurses play in critical care. And, suddenly, her career path became clear: she wanted to be a nurse! Whitney completed her Human Biology degree from IU and her ASN from Ivy Tech, and then started on her RN by enrolling in our RN to BSN online program.
Living in Terre Haute (with husband William and pets Cooper, Hunter, Boogie, Figgy, and Salem), Whitney regularly makes the 60-mile drive to IU Health Bloomington Hospital, where she works full-time in the ICU, while also being a full-time student. On track to graduate in May, 2021, Whitney’s goal is to attend a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program. “Obtaining my second bachelor’s degree is just the first step in a long journey I hope to pursue,” she says.
Whitney is the first member of her family to attend a four-year college (let alone earn a second four-year degree), and her path hasn’t always been an easy one. Whitney says that, in pursuing her career as a nurse, she hasn’t had many role models and was, at times, discouraged by others from becoming a nurse. Whitney is highly-deserving of the Kate Pedigo Scholarship, and we hope that – by receiving this award and the emotional and financial support it represents – the road to her ultimate goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist has become that much easier.
Whitney is the first member of her family to attend a four-year college (let alone earn a second four-year degree), and her path hasn’t always been an easy one. Whitney says that, in pursuing her career as a nurse, she hasn’t had many role models and was, at times, discouraged by others from becoming a nurse. Whitney is highly-deserving of the Kate Pedigo Scholarship, and we hope that – by receiving this award and the emotional and financial support it represents – the road to her ultimate goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist has become that much easier.
A Thank You to our Red Scrubs donors and your support for our student nurses
Although Whitney Snyder’s personal challenges are unique to her, financial need is not unique for our nursing students. In the fall of 2020, IUSON BL established the Red Scrubs Scholarship to help our students pay additional costs – for such items as stethoscopes, testing fees, and the red scrubs themselves – that are required to successfully complete our nursing program. We are proud to say that our faculty, staff, alumni and friends heard the call and that we were able to exceed the $3,000 goal we set for our initial Red Scrubs fundraising campaign.
On behalf of our students, we cannot say “Thank you” enough to all of our Red Scrubs donors! Keep in mind that Red Scrubs is a rolling scholarship, accepting gifts at all times.
Give the most precious gift
The end of the year is a special time for our students, as they celebrate the close of a successful first semester. It is also a time for looking back, giving thanks, and sharing our good fortune with others.
As this very unique year comes to a close, you can support the Whitney’s and other nursing students at our school – the health care providers of tomorrow – by making a charitable donation to IUSON BL. Whether it’s contributing to our Red Scrubs Scholarship or our General Fund:
The most precious gift you can give our students this year is the gift of a quality education.
The most precious gift you can give you and your family is the gift of quality health care.
Your gift will make the holiday season even more memorable for our students, opening up a world of nearly endless possibilities for them and their families. Please consider including the IU School of Nursing Bloomington in your end-of-year giving, in a year in which nurses have become so important to our community and our state.
To discover additional ways in which you can help our school, please email iubnurse@indiana.edu, or call 812-855-1736.