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More than a dozen years ago, Odette Willis, then a nursing teacher at Mason, noticed her student suddenly seeming distressed and asked what was going on. It was becoming difficult for him to stay in school. He was unable to work as he was in a full-time nursing program and was kicked out of the home for his lack of contribution. He was sleeping in the car.
Willis knew about the university’s emergency fund and worked with students to apply for aid. The student was given funding and Willis helped him develop a plan to get back on his feet while continuing his education. A year later, Willis watched his student graduate.
Since that year, Willis has made ongoing contributions to the university’s emergency fund. This fund will help students who need extra help buying food, gas, books, child care, and anything else that will keep them in school.
“I understand the need and I see students who are receiving scholarships. They are very grateful for the extra funding because it eases their burden and allows them to be open to learning. ,” Willis said.
This year, she donated $5,000 to the Carolyn Taylor Scholarship Fund to support future nurses and a multi-year gift starting in 2024 to establish a new scholarship in her name for the School of Nursing. promised. She is excited to be able to participate in Mason’s nurse education as a faculty member and to continue supporting future clinicians in her own capacity.
“As a teacher and as a donor, I try to educate the next generation. The only way we can do that is by making sure we have the funding to stay in school,” Willis said.
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