Kewana Colquitt: driven scholarship winner

Growing up, nursing student Kewana Colquitt always wanted to go to college. Her family never had much money, but her mother constantly reinforced the value of education. "My mother always told me I needed to get good grades so I could get scholarships--if not, I couldn't go to college," says the senior from Harvey.

With scholarship support, Colquitt was able to attend her first-choice school--Loyola. "I felt comfortable at orientation, and I was naturally drawn to Loyola after seeing the campus and learning about the school's Jesuit, Catholic mission," she says. Even though the cost was greater than other schools, Colquitt knew the importance of getting the best education possible.

Once at Loyola, Colquitt chose a career in nursing because of her love of science and desire to nurture the ill. She learned to incorporate the Jesuit tradition of service to others into her profession by treating the whole patient, not only their ailments. "I really like the way the nursing school applies a holistic approach to health and healing," says Colquitt. "As a nurse, my focus will be to triage the mind, body, and spirit."

While finishing her final semester and working part time at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Colquitt had to move home this semester because she could no longer afford to live on campus. She commutes 30 miles each way, is taking a full load of courses, and is completing a pediatric rotation at a Chicago hospital. She is grateful to those who have supported her education and realizes that it would not have been possible without help from those individuals and foundations who recognize the importance of giving deserving students the funds needed to attend college.

"To give the gift of education is one of the best things you can do," she says, affirming the Jesuit principle that "with education, you can teach others."

Kewana Colquitt received the following scholarships

• The Eugene Knight Scholarship
• The W.B. and H.P. White Foundation Scholarship
• The Fidelis N. and Bonnie J. Umeh Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Donald P. and Byrd M. Kelly Scholarship
• The Michaela d'Afflisio Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Riversville Foundation Scholarship
• The Robert Matuszak Scholarship