RCCF Awards Nursing Scholarships

(Provided Media)

(Ripley County, IN) – The Ripley County Community Foundation (RCCF) presented four nursing scholarships at the organization’s recent Annual Dinner.

Calli Fletcher, a 2024 graduate of Batesville High School and current nursing student at Mount Saint Joseph University, was awarded three nursing scholarships totaling $3,600.

Fletcher received the Doris A. Brelage Memorial Nursing Scholarship, established in 2008 in honor of Doris Brelage, a nurse and EMS member who served Margaret Mary Health for 37 years as Director of Nursing, Manager of Surgical Nursing, and Infection Control Practitioner. Fletcher received $1,100 from this scholarship.

Fletcher was also awarded the Riley Duerstock Nursing Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. Established in 2023, the scholarship honors the memory of Riley Duerstock, a natural caregiver who served as a medical intern in Ghana at just 16 years old and pursued a nursing degree at the University of Indianapolis. Even in her final act of generosity, Riley became an organ donor.

In addition, Fletcher received a $1,000 MarySue Luhring-Knisley Nursing Scholarship. Established in 2023, this scholarship honors MarySue’s caring nature, generosity, and exceptional listening skills. MarySue earned multiple professional credentials, including RN, BSN, MBA, MSN, and CLNC, and built a successful career as both a nurse and medical compliance consultant.

Two other students received MarySue Luhring-Knisley Nursing Scholarships.

Emma Leap, a 2024 graduate of Greensburg High School who is attending Indiana University Bloomington, received a $500 scholarship. And Lanie Narwold, a 2026 graduate of Jac-Cen-Del High School, received a $500 scholarship and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing this fall.

In addition to her MarySue Luhring-Knisley Nursing Scholarship, Narwold was awarded the J. Michael Hansen, M.D. Scholarship in the amount of $5,000. This scholarship honors the
legacy of Dr. J. Michael Hansen, who appreciated the nurses with whom he worked throughout his medical career. He recognized that skilled and compassionate nurses are essential
to quality healthcare, serving as patient advocates, clinical experts, and trusted partners in care delivery.

The Ripley County Community Foundation congratulates these students as they continue their education and prepare for careers dedicated to caring for others.

To donate to any of these nursing scholarships or any of RCCF’s many scholarships, or to learn more about how you can create opportunities in your community, visit https://rccfonline.org/ or stop by the foundation office at 13 E. George St., Suite B in Batesville.

You can call (812) 933-1098 or email office@rccfonline.org if you have questions or want to learn more about RCCF scholarships.