For Immediate Release

Date: 05/14/02

Contact: Victoria Newsom

Phone: (972) 881-5611

FORMER RICHARDSON RESIDENT CREATES SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT TO BENEFIT CCCCD NURSING STUDENTS

McKinney, TX - Former Richardson resident, Robert Ouellette recently created a scholarship endowment through the CCCCD Foundation, Inc. that will be a lasting testament to the memory of his wife, Jane.

"The W. Jane Ouellette RN scholarship endowment not only provides a living legacy honoring Jane's career as a nurse, but also helps to address the dire shortage of skilled caregivers," said Robert Keahey, chair of the CCCCD Foundation Inc. Board of Directors and director of Web Hosting Enterprise Information and Technology at EDS. "I can think of no better way to honor a person who touched the lives of so many people."

The endowment will serve as a permanent memorial to Mrs. Wilma Jane Ouellette, who had been a nurse for more than 30 years. Mr. Robert Ouellette, said that his wife was dedicated to the field of nursing and spent her life caring for others, in addition to her own family. Because Mrs. Ouellette showed such care and compassion to her many patients, Mr. Ouellette felt that the scholarships should go to students who had demonstrated compassionate care either in the medical field or in the community.

Before moving to Frisco, Mr. & Mrs. Ouellette were longtime residents of Richardson. They were active in the school district, where their sons attended Bowie, Westwood and Pierce. They were frequent donors to the Clothes Closet, and since 1990 had volunteered and worked at the annual Richardson Book Fair. In February 2001, they were both awarded the Council Service Award by RISD Council of PTA's. "It is my hope that Jane's caring legacy will be continued by the students who receive the scholarships," said Mr. Ouellette. "Jane put the needs of her patients first--at all times--regardless of rules and regulations, often staying several hours after her shift to complete paperwork so that she could spend her shift caring for the individual completely."

Dr. Vivian Lilly, associate dean of Health Sciences and director of the Associate Degree Nursing program, said that the endowment would go a long way in helping nursing students become nurses able to serve our community. "The students who are seeking nursing as a career will benefit greatly from the donation that Mr. Ouellette has provided by helping students with their financial needs, such as purchasing medical textbooks and supplies."

The first W. Jane Ouellette RN scholarships will be awarded this summer. To be eligible for consideration, students must 1) be enrolled at CCCCD; 2) be fully accepted into the nursing program; 3) maintain a 3.0 GPA during the award period; and 4) have demonstrated compassionate care either in medicine or in the community.

Applications are now available and must be submitted by June 3, 2002. To receive an application form or for more information, call the CCCCD Foundation at 972-881-5611 or visit CCCCD Foundation website at http://foundation.ccccd.org.