Impact of Planned Giving: How Edith Arnold Paid It Forward

Impact of Planned Giving: How Former Student Paid It Forward

Edith Arnold

Nursing students work with life-sized anatomical human models called manikins. One such legacy is that of Edith Arnold, an SPSCC nursing graduate and an inspiration to classmates, faculty, and family. After completing a successful career in social work, Edith decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. When she passed away in 2004, her family decided to create an Endowed Scholarship in her memory. Today, the Edith Arnold Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing continues to help students succeed. So far, 15 SPSCC students have benefited from the incredible generosity of family members, nursing faculty members, and her fellow classmates who sustain it through their contributions. Edith was, and continues to be, an inspiration to SPSCC students, our community, and her daughter, who also became a nurse..

Whitney Vu

While studying at SPSCC Whitney Vu received the Edith Arnold Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing. She went on to earn her Associate in Pre-Nursing degree with SPSCC in 2017 and, in 2020, graduated with her RN degree from Grays Harbor College. Whitney is currently working as a nurse at Fresenius Kidney Care. “I’m the oldest out of 5 kids, so money was always hard to come by. Receiving her scholarship was such a blessing! Edith’s scholarship has helped me serve my community and I hope other future nurses can go on to serve the community too.”

Jessica Martin

After graduating, Jessica went on to become a nurse inProvidence St. Peter Hospital's Oncology department where she has helped hundreds of oncology patients and their families in the same way the nurses from her childhood helped her. Jessica later went on to earn both her Bachelor's and Master's of Science in Nursing without going into debt. “I am so appreciative for the scholarship I received, because I was able to focus on becoming a good nurse without having to worry about debt. I only wish that Edith would have been able to live her dream, as I have, and as Edith helped me to do.”

Amber Neely

"Knowing that Edith cared so deeply about our chosen profession and that tragically she was unable to pursue her passion shortly after graduation, I gave pause to reflect on the knowledge that tomorrow isn’t promised, and that we need to make a difference, no matter how small, daily. I feel honored, and have an added sense of pride to know that I am a small part of Edith’s legacy. The scholarship so generously provided by her family made a difference in my journey. It put my passion within reach, and I have been blessed to practice nursing for over 8 years now!"

Planned Giving: Build Your Own Legacy at SPSCC

If you are interested in honoring the stories of someone in your life and want to help students in our community, an Endowed Scholarship may be the right choice for you. Leaving a planned gift can expand your legacy further than you imagined possible, and you can make it happen your own way. Gifts can include cash, bequests, trusts, stock, life insurance, annuities, property, and other types of contributions. Your investment in the future of SPSCC can help open paths for students who will become the nurses, paralegals, entrepreneurs, journeymen, educators, and leaders who serve and strengthen our communities. Are you ready to make a lasting impact? Please contact the SPSCC Foundation at foundation@spscc.edu to learn more about the power of planned giving.