Dr. Ron Bartley(far left), president of Northeastern Technical College, and Sheryll  Marshall (far right), financial aid officer,  recently met with NETC students Amy Snipes(let) and Angelica Kirby(right)  to award them the William Carson Tolar III Scholarship.

January 7, 2009
Students Receive Nursing Scholarships

Amy Snipes, of Dillon, and Angelica Kirby, of Bennettsville, have 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.”

Snipes is enrolled as a full time student in Northeastern Technical College’s practical nursing program.  This is her first semester at the college and she was encouraged by family members, who are also NETC alumni, to enroll in the program because of the college’s quaint learning environment and caring staff.  She also explained that the scholarship will help her with cost associated with the program including travel expenses incurred commuting from Dillon.

Kirby is also enrolled as a full time student in the college’s practical nursing program.  She has been an NETC student since August of 2005 completing general education and other prerequisite courses needed for admittance into the program. 

“Northeastern Technical College feels like home to me,” said Kirby.  “Not only because it is close to home, but because it’s small and I’m able to get to know my instructors and staff in a way that makes me feel like I’m part of the community.”

Kirby will use the scholarship to help pay for cost associated with the program like books and lab fees.

“This scholarship, along with the Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) will not only help me achieve my dream of becoming a registered nurse, it will also help me stay out of debt.”

“I’m happy that Amy and Angelica were chosen to receive this scholarships because they have found an environment where they can pursue their dream of becoming nurses” said Tolar. “I know that Bill is happy because he is continuing to help someone pursue their dream and I hope his story, along with Amy and Angelica’s, will inspire other donors to support the scholarship and the college in order to address the shortage of nursing professionals in the area.”

Individuals or corporations interested in donating to the general scholarship fund can also contact Atticus Simpson with the Northeastern Technical College Foundation at 843-921-6916.