Published: June 11, 2009 09:20 pm      

NC grad starts scholarship

From Staff Reports



Paula Lizarraga from Waxahachie was not a typical student when she began her studies at Navarro College. She is the mother of five children and has worked outside the home, but she had always dreamed of being a nurse. In 1996, she made a very important career decision and decided to enroll in two courses at Navarro College. Because of her job and family responsibilities, Lizarraga could only take two or three courses each semester, focusing primarily on courses that were required to enter the nursing program. The availability of online courses also gave her some flexibility in scheduling classes.

After completing 58 hours at Navarro with a 3.82 GPA, Lizarraga transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Her persistence and dedication paid off. Lizarraga graduated with honors this May and will begin working at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.

Remembering her positive experience at Navarro and the solid educational foundation she received, Lizarraga has established a scholarship for Navarro College nursing students, who like herself, are faced with many challenges as they pursue their goals.

There were no scholarships available for nursing students when Lizarraga began her studies in 1996. By providing some financial assistance, Lizarraga hopes to alleviate some of the stress she had experienced as a student. In lieu of giving her gifts to celebrate her graduation, Lizarraga asked friends and family to donate to the her newly-established scholarship fund. The fund, which will be managed by the Navarro College Foundation, is growing slowly. Plans are to award two Paula Lizarraga Scholarships to Ellis County nursing students this fall.

“We appreciate Paula’s generous spirit in wanting to help aspiring nursing students,” said Dr. Tommy Stringer, executive director of the Navarro College Foundation. “We are pleased she is acknowledging the important role that Navarro College has played in her training.”

Please contact the Navarro College Foundation to donate to the Paula Lizarraga Scholarship Fund at (903) 875-7591, or send your e-mail requests to tommy.stringer@navarrocollege.edu.