Sebert Pate helps address nursing shortage through scholarships

Standing (L to R) Chasity Jones, Kim Perez and Jinifer Richards; Seated: Ariahnna Romero, Carmen Ayala and LaShonda Rice

Fort Worth, TX

4/24/2009

The nationwide shortage of nurses is a critical problem for our society, particularly as the Baby Boom generation retires. For decades, Sebert L. Pate, retired chairman of the board of Texas Refinery Corporation, has been helping to meet this vital healthcare need through annual gifts to Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. The scholarships he has funded, which are directed to undergraduate minority students majoring in nursing, have enabled TCU to educate new professionals since the early 1970s.

Now Mr. Pate has ensured that generations of students to come will benefit from his generosity by endowing the Sebert L. Pate Graduate Student Scholarship in Nursing.

Carla Crider, a seasoned nurse who lives in Palo Pinto County, is the first student to hold the scholarship. She is taking advantage of an innovative new online program in nursing education. “It’s 55 miles to TCU one way,” she says. “That’s why I’m in the online program. I can work at my own pace, at 3 a.m. if necessary.”

Carla says not only are there not enough nursing teachers, but the average instructor is also nearing retirement age. “We have to get new instructors in the field yesterday,” she says.

Ariahnna Romero
“The best day I can remember is getting into the nursing program,” notes junior Ariahnna Romero from Hollister, California. “I remember actually jumping up and down! But college is expensive, especially nursing school. I am so blessed and thankful for the opportunity to have this scholarship. It has definitely given me the strength and courage to keep working hard.”

Kim Perez
Kim came to TCU after marrying and raising a family. “Getting this scholarship has been the highlight of the semester,” she says. “I have two kids, I’m living off one income and paying for school at the same time.” Kim plans to be a bedside nurse, perhaps in ICU. “After I graduate, I want to start working right away. This has been a long time coming!”

Carmen Ayala
“The Pate Scholarship is such a blessing to me,” says Carmen, a Fort Worth native who will graduate in 2010. “This scholarship is definitely allowing me more time to focus on my studies. It just lifted a weight off of my shoulders, and I am so very thankful for it.” Carmen looks forward to working and then hopes to “come back to TCU to enroll in the graduate program.”

Chasity Jones
Chasity hopes to become a medical surgical nurse or to pursue her interest in women’s studies. “This scholarship is making a difference in my life,” the junior from Dallas says. “It is definitely appreciated.” Chastity also appreciates the support she gets in Harris College: “I have shared a lot of laughs and even some tears with my fellow classmates. We continuously encourage each other.”

Jinifir Richards
Jinifir will gradate next December, and also has big plans. “Hopefully, I’ll work at Parkland Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or ICU, then get my master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner.” The Dallas native adds: “The Pate Scholarship has truly been a blessing for me. It allows me to stay focused on nursing, and I am incredibly grateful. Thank you so much, Mr. Pate!”

LaShonda Rice
LaShonda, a Dallas native who will graduate in spring 2010, plans to be commissioned in the Army Nurse Corps. “The scholarship has helped tremendously by allowing my loan amounts to be decreased,” she says. One of the highlights of Harris College is the staff, she adds. “I also appreciate the open-door policy that the faculty share and the lengths that they go to ensure that students understand the material and have the opportunity for extra help if it is needed.”