NPC Announces Van Davis Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Hot Springs, Arkansas – The National Park College (NPC) Foundation announced the recipient of the 2017 Van Davis Memorial Scholarship. Rachel Garner was awarded a $1,500 scholarship.

Garner and her husband reside in Hot Springs with their two daughters, ages 7 and 8. She graduated from NPC in 2000 with a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. She has returned to college to refresh her skills as the health care industry transitions to electronic health records. She will graduate in May with a degree in Health Information Technology. Garner hopes to be able to use her degree to do medical coding from home so she can spend more time with her family.

Photo: Rachel Garner, Van Davis Scholarship Recipient.

The Van Davis Scholarship is a competitive scholarship that is awarded to a first generation college student with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 3.5. Students are required to complete an essay, which is reviewed by the Faculty Senate Scholarship Selection Committee. The scholarship was created to continue the legacy established by Dr. Van Davis. Dr. Davis was an esteemed member of the NPC faculty and Chair of the Social Sciences Division, teaching students for nearly 38 years and inspiring them to use their drive, passion, humor and intellect to succeed at earning college degrees. He cared for his students deeply and shared joy in their successes as scholars and human beings. He often provided personal scholarships to individuals in need, many of whom were first generation college students.

The scholarship is funded with proceeds from the Annual Van Davis Memorial 5K Run/Walk. Over the past four years, the event has contributed more than $41,000 to the scholarship endowment. Presenting sponsors for this year’s race include The Sentinel-Record, Morgan Stanley, and Henderson State University. Gold sponsors include The Munro Foundation, Levi Hospital and Alliance Rubber. Silver sponsors include US Raceworks and Lewis Architects. Bronze sponsors include Road ID, Dr. Richard Braley, Hot Springs Title Company, Raymond Wright, Portal Dental, Razorback Vending, American Red Cross, Group Therapy, Simmons Bank, BanCorp South, Malvern Minerals, Lane, Muse, Arman & Pullen, BW’s Studio, Pro Productions, Med Express Urgent Care and Weyerhaeuser.

This year’s event is set for February 18 at 9:00 a.m. at Whittington City Park. Registration information can be found at www.np.edu/VanDavis5K.