Former Registrar and Darton Foundation board member, Frances Carr, reviews transcripts with Kaycee Duke Griner, nursing student and scholarship recipient for the spring 2022 semester.  

The Darton Health Professions Foundation recently announced scholarship awards to Albany State University students of more than $47,000. 

“We had numerous outstanding applicants this semester,” said Randae Davis, Executive Director of the Darton Foundation. “Many of the applicants were returning students seeking additional education in the multiple fields of study. It is very rewarding when you can help a student obtain a degree and then continue their pursuits to additional degrees that will fill the pipeline of nurses and other healthcare professionals in Southwest Georgia.”

Since 1977, the Darton Foundation has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to worthy students who have lived, learned, and are now working professionals in this region. Francis Carr, Darton board member and the former Registrar at Darton State College and Albany State University, recognized one of the applicants. “Kaycee Griner was an outstanding student and student worker at Darton. She obtained her degree in sonography and has been serving our community at Women’s Health Professionals for more than a decade. She was a scholarship recipient when she was at Darton and we are proud to be able to help her continue her education and obtain a nursing degree,” said Carr. “Kaycee wrote a compelling essay and then thanked the foundation for her scholarship. She told us about her future aspirations, and we want to continue to help students like her who will impact our community.” 

Mrs. Griner credits those who made the scholarships possible and the Board for choosing her. “As I begin my fourth semester of nursing school at Albany State University, their generous award will allow me to focus on my academics and not the burden of school expenses. I work full time while attending college and these scholarships help students like myself, navigate what would have been a costly semester.”

This spring, 36 recipients were chosen by the Foundation’s committee to receive scholarships that ranged from $599 to $2,500. “There were still scholarships we were not able to grant this semester due to a lack of applicants and applicants that did not meet the specific criteria,” said Davis. “However, we will look for additional students to make another $6,500 of awards for the summer semester.”

Students at ASU received Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants in the fall and again in the spring. For many students, these funds helped them with their expenses but also decreased the need for scholarships. While the foundation’s focus is supporting health professions, they have scholarships for multiple fields of study and want to increase the opportunities to help students receive their degree and contribute to the SWGA community as working professionals. 

The Foundation is dedicated to helping students through scholarship and education. The Board recognizes the need and the benefit to employers and the community by helping the students of today and the healthcare professionals of tomorrow in SWGA. The next deadline for scholarship applications is July 1, 2022. For more information on available scholarships or to help financially support student scholarships, visit www.dartonfoundaiton.org.