National Park College (NPC) Respiratory Therapy students Jessica Fox and Dustin Warner
were recently awarded the Lawrence Respiratory Foundation scholarship. The award is an $1,800 scholarship established to support senior students in the Respiratory
Therapy program. Scholarship recipients are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and
participate in an interview in addition to an essay and application.
Fox chose NPC because it is close to home. She is a working mom and said choosing
a program that allowed her to remain in the community was a priority. “NPC has a good
respiratory program, so there is no reason to drive somewhere else,” said Fox.
“Jessica Fox always shows initiative, looks for new ways to get involved, and welcomes
a leadership role in groups,” said Paul Lowe, Respiratory Therapy program director.
“The Lawrence scholarship means I don’t have to take out more student loans, which
mean less debt and less stress. I appreciate the fact that they had a heart to give,
and I am thankful to be a recipient,” said Fox.
Warner is married with two children and his family lives in Hot Springs. He and his
wife decided NPC would be the best choice so family members could help with their
children.
Without the help of federal aid or federal loans, Warner pays out of pocket for his
education. “I am honored to get this scholarship. It is going to help me a lot. It
will give my wife some relief since she works full-time while I go to school. It will
take a burden off of her and for that I am forever grateful,” said Warner.
“NPC is big, but it is small. There are enough of us in the class that we are taught
professionally but few enough that we can learn one-on-one,” said Warner.
Aprile Garner, NPC assistant professor of mathematics, said, “When Dustin took College
Algebra, he revealed to me that math has always been a challenge. However, his goal
to become a respiratory therapist motivated him to a growth mindset and he was able
to master the objectives presented in the course. I have no doubt that he will make
positive contributions to his profession. NPC can be proud of a bright, hard-working
student like Dustin and this honor is well deserved.”
“Make sure your heart is in this job, if you are in it for the money, you won’t enjoy
it,” said Warner.
After speaking with Lawrence Foundation president, Gretchen Lawrence, Fox and Warner
both said they understood the importance of helping the next generation of respiratory
students and plan to pay if forward by establishing a scholarship for future students
after they graduate.
