September 12, 2007
NETC Student from Cheraw Receives Nursing Scholarship

Vonciella McLeod, of Cheraw, has been awarded the William Carson Tolar III Scholarship named after long time Pee Dee resident, William “Bill” Carson Tolar III.  This scholarship is presented to an outstanding nursing student enrolled at Northeastern Technical College. 

The scholarship was established in 2001 by Tolar’s wife Jane, a retired public health nurse who lived with her husband in Bennettsville for more than 30 years.  She and her husband decided to establish the scholarship just prior to Tolar’s death.

“A few days before my husband died, we agreed to help a lady who was working so hard to provide health care for her child while at the same time pursing her desire to become a nurse,” she said.  “So after Bill passed away, I thought this would be a great way to help other people purse their nursing dreams in his honor.”

McLeod is enrolled as a full time student at Northeastern Technical College, where she is enrolled in the new associate degree in nursing program.  McLeod recently earned an associate degree in science at the college and is a volunteer at the Chesterfield County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs.  She is also the assistant secretary and sometimes primary Sunday school teacher at Greater Outreach Church in Cheraw.  She plans to gain employment as a registered nurse when she graduates.

“I’m glad the college chose Vonciella because she is working hard to support her family while at the same time giving back to the community,” said Toler.  “I hope that Bill and Vonciella’s story will inspire other donors to support the scholarship and the college in order to address the shortage of nursing professionals in the area.”

Any nursing student interested in applying for the William Carson Toler III Nursing Scholarship should contact Sheryll Marshall in the Financial Aid department at Northeastern Technical College.  Individuals or corporations interested in donating  to  the scholarship fund can also contact Atticus Simpson with the Northeastern Technical College Foundation at 843-921-6916.