Organization lends a hand to women through scholarship 7/24/2009 12:35 AM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
When her daughter was born four years ago, Tracy Stichert was so impressed with the nursing care she received that she decided to enroll at USC Aiken and earn her bachelor's degree in nursing.
While working at Family Med Centers, Michalene Langford had often seen the challenges faced by parents of special needs children. That experience encouraged her to return to school at USCA, where she is a rising junior and special education major in the School of Education.
The women met for the first time Wednesday, each receiving scholarships from Aiken's "B" chapter of the Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.). Dr. Liz Benton, chair of the chapter's Program for Continuing Education, awarded Stichert $1,500 and Langford $2,000, the maximum amount.
"We encourage the education of women, especially women who have a break in their educational careers and have gone back to school," said Benton, a retired Aiken School District administrator. "We look for need and the chances of the students getting a job. Certainly there is a demand for nurses and special education teachers. Both students came with high recommendations."
Dr. Julia Ball, the School of Nursing dean, expressed her delight that Stichert joins two other nursing students who won the P.E.O. scholarships last year.
"Tracy is very dedicated and really has worked hard on her grades," Ball said. "I'm proud of her."
English professor Vicki Collins had similar praise for Langford.
"She's a wonderful student who has impressed me in the classroom," Collins said. "Michalene is very curious and always began discussions in class. She has a thirst for knowledge ... and will be a wonderful educator."
Stichert received an art degree from the University of South Carolina. She didn't do much with it and "wanted to get it right the second time. Her daughter provided a big incentive for Stichert to start at USCA part-time in 2006. After formally beginning the nursing curriculum a year ago, she now attends college full-time
"I have a different perspective now, and it means a lot more," Stichert said. "It's been very challenging with the little one. Now I'm paying for it myself and am out there on my own. The scholarship will help a lot. It's been very tough, but the end result is always worth it."
Langford has worked during her career as a medical lab technician and a certified medical assistant. She had wanted to return to college, but she needed to concentrate on making a living and caring for her young daughter, who had severe epilepsy as a small child. Her daughter remains on medication, but her condition has steadily improved. Langford enrolled at USCA two years ago.
"It was difficult at first, and I felt I should be intimidated," she said. "But all the professors and students were wonderful. Everybody has been more than helpful."
Langford, too, is grateful for the scholarship as she prepares to begin her education classes this fall.
"I wanted to go into the area with the most need," she said. "My daughter is doing well now, and it's my way of giving back."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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