![\"McLane_scholarship\"](\"http:\/\/blog.valdosta.edu\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2013\/03\/McLane_scholarship.jpg\")
<\/a>W. Tyson McLane, from left, with Shondra Holmes, VSU President William J. McKinney, Whitney Howell and J. Britt McLane at the reception recognizing Holmes and Howell receiving the Carson and Philena T. McLane Caregivers Scholarship.<\/p><\/div>\n
According to J. Britt McLane, who graduated from Valdosta State in 1992, the scholarships promote caregiving and education.\u00c2\u00a0Established in 2011, as part McLane Funeral Services\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 75th anniversary celebration, two $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually \u00e2\u20ac\u201c one in the Division of Social Work for those students pursuing a master\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s degree and one in the College of Nursing for those interested in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for Second Degree Students.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We established a scholarship where we can help people, typically those looking for a second career choice, who want to get a degree in nursing or social work,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said McLane. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This makes it possible to get more qualified caregivers into a position with an education from VSU, where we can serve our community better.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
As part of the focus on community service, recipients of the scholarship are required to volunteer at least 10 hours each semester the scholarship is received.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My family has been associated with Valdosta State for many years,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said McLane, who noted that his grandmother, Philena, graduated with a teaching degree in 1936 from Georgia State Womans College, which later became known as Valdosta State College and then Valdosta State University. His father, W. Tyson McLane, also attended Valdosta State College and has served in various capacities, including on the board of trustees for the VSU Foundation Inc. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This scholarship allows us to extend our service to the community.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Caring for Others<\/b><\/p>\n
After graduating from the University of Georgia with a bachelor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s degree in psychology and pre-med, Whitney R. Howell decided to follow her childhood dream and become a nurse.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wanted to become a nurse to help and advocate for people in need,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Howell, who is enrolled in VSU\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for Second Degree Students. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153As a nurse, I feel I could help people in their time of need and care for them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Howell, who is scheduled to graduate July 2013, said that she would like to pursue a psychiatric\/mental health nurse practitioner degree and is also interested in being a nurse anesthetist.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Originally, I had planned to become a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist due to my interest in mental health,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Howell. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153However, after volunteering, I realized that even in mental health facilities, nurses spend more quality time interacting with patients. I decided that nursing was the field for me when I dis- covered that I could become a psychiatric mental health nurse.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Finding a Career<\/b><\/p>\n
When Shondra Holmes found herself out of a job in 2008, she decided it was time to return to school. In May 2011 she graduated from VSU with a bachelor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s degree in sociology and anthropology.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153After earning my bachelor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s degree, my plan was to return to work,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said the Valdosta native. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Unable to find a job and getting a little discouraged, my husband encouraged me not to focus so much on finding a job but a career.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
A longtime community volunteer, Holmes has worked with various non-profit organizations, including with her youth group at Southside Church of Christ.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have always been involved in \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsocial work\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 but just didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know that there was actually a master\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s program for it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Holmes, who is currently working towards a master\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s degree in social work at VSU. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153After graduation, I would like to continue working in the Valdosta community in some aspect, whether it is hospice, mental health, or working with children and\/or adolescents.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Holmes, who is completing her practicum with Hospice of South Georgia, said that her goal is to own a private practice or non-profit organization for children.<\/p>\n
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According to J. Britt McLane, who graduated from Valdosta State in 1992, the scholarships promote caregiving and education.\u00c2\u00a0Established in 2011, as part McLane Funeral Services\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 75th anniversary celebration, two $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually \u00e2\u20ac\u201c one in the Division of Social Work for those students pursuing a master\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s degree and one in the College…
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