WINNEMUCCA - The Rev. Jackie Leonard is continuing her family's commitment to higher education in Nevada. Ms. Leonard recently established the Ann and Orville Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Great Basin College Foundation.
With an initial gift of $50,000 to the Foundation's VISION 2020 scholarship initiative, the Wilson Scholarships are awarded annually to three women and three men. The recipients are distinguished as Wilson Scholars. This year, students from Elko, Winnemucca and Pahrump were received the awards.
This year's Wilson Scholars are, Emily Boardman of Pahrump, Cole Bourquin of Winnemucca, Erin Collier of Lamoille, John Snyder of Elko and Kendra Thompson of Spring Creek.
Great Basin College Foundation Executive Director John Patrick Rice said Leonard's generosity provides an immediate and long term benefit to students. "We are deeply appreciative of Jackie's gift to our students. For many, the award means the difference between going to college, or not. "
Leonard presented the funds to the Foundation last spring. The awards were granted over the summer.
The scholarship award will be $2,500 annually. Merit based, candidates for the award must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average. The award will be granted to college sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students who receive the award can apply the following year as well, and there are no restrictions to the discipline the student must be studying.
Rice said Leonard's gift opens doors for many more students. "One of the beauties of The Wilson Scholarship Award is that it is not limited to students who show a financial need for scholarship assistance.
For more information on the Wilson Scholars Program and other scholarship opportunities at Great Basin College, contact the Great Basin College Foundation at 775.753.2246.
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