Today was a very special day for us. Together with our friend and colleague Bev Garlipp, we went to Lake Technical Center to interview four candidates for scholarships from the Susan Marie Giesemann Foundation. As many of you know, the foundation is named in honor of our daughter Susan, then a US Marine Corps sergeant, who with her unborn son Liam, was killed when struck by lightning in 2006. Income from Suzanne’s readings, as well as some individual donations, has been put in this Foundation for scholarships for deserving students.
We had contacted Betty Jones, Dean of Enrollment Management at Lake Tech about offering a scholarship to a nursing student in good standing, in need of additional financial support, and who was a single mother. Candidates were identified and notified, four applications were received, and we asked Bev, a former teacher and university administrator, to help us screen the applicants. This afternoon we interviewed four young women from the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program. All four were single moms with children from nine months to 14 years old. Each was highly motivated, articulate, and deserving of scholarship assistance. Two of them actually reminded us in many ways of our daughter Susan.
In the end, we decided to award scholarships for their 2013 tuition to each one of these women. The photo shows Suzanne, Bev and me presenting a check to Dr. Diane Culpepper, PhD, Lake Tech Director, and Betty Jones. It was a happy moment for us and we are sure also for Susan, who must have been in that empty seat at the table during the interviews, smiling and wishing the best for each of the applicants.
4 Comments
Lois Anne
Oh yes, Susan was there, Ty. What a blessing for these women…and what a tribute to Susan. This is truly "being the Love in our world."
Anonymous
Good on you for such generosity! Happy Holidays to you both! Brad
Laura
What a wonderful experience for everyone involved. My younger sister was a single mom with one son and I know, through her, how difficult it can be. Your gift means so much. Especially at this time of the year. I thank you both for your generosity and kindness.
Jennifer
Ty, Susan looks just like you…. Both of you are so kind to help these young women..