The Washington County Republican Women Organization and Dixie State College of Utah announced Thursday the continuation of a scholarship to benefit and honor veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and the Utah National Guard’s 222nd Field Artillery Unit.
Washington County Republican Women president Susan Recknagel, treasurer Sandi Barrett, and “Caring for America” outreach program chairperson Wilma Courtney presented a check for $1,250 to DSC president Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld in a brief morning ceremony.
The scholarship, which is part of the “Caring for America” outreach program, was established at Dixie State in 2007 to honor of veterans of the Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts, with priority shown to 222nd veterans. The monies will provide financial assistance with college expenses, including tuition, books and college fees, to veterans who meet specific academic qualifications and demonstrate financial need.
The scholarship may be used for one or more persons, as financially needed. The Dixie State College financial aid office will determine the financial need. DSC will then inform the organization when and to whom the scholarship is awarded.
According to Recknagel, part of the WCRW charter is supporting the military through the “Caring for America” program, where members engage in charity work, community work and support of the military and their families. She added that the scholarship was created to honor the 222nd for the service the unit provided in both conflicts.
“We established this scholarship at Dixie State College so anyone returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan could receive financial support,” Recknagel said. “All of the women in our group really wanted to do something to continue to remember them, even after they have come home.”
To qualify for the scholarship, the potential recipient must be a registered Republican, live in Washington County, be a veteran of either the second Iraq War or the conflict in Afghanistan, and must have a 3.00 or higher academic grade point average or better.
If not enough students at Dixie State College fill these criteria before the end of the 2009 calendar year, then DSC will contact the Washington County Republican Women for a decision on how to disburse any remaining funds.
For more information about or to contribute to the scholarship, please contact WCRWO president Susan Recknagel at 435-628-8703 or at reckwest@msn.com.
