Clarence and Dorothy Gerard Scholarship for Nursing
Annual, renewable scholarship created by the estate of John Gerard in honor of his parents. The scholarship will provide educational support to a graduate of a Posey, Vanderburgh, or Warrick County high school to pursue a nursing degree at a college or university in Southwestern Indiana.
Born in 1915, Dorothy Willett studied nursing and graduated in 1936 from St. Mary’s Hospital Nursing School where she became the first surgical nurse assisting in cataract surgery. Her career continued as a nurse for Republic Aviation factory in Evansville, Indiana, which churned out thousands of P-47 Thunderbolts during World War II. In 1947, she met and married Clarence Gerard who served in the Navy.
Soon they began a family, welcoming sons Steve and John. As they came of age, Steve and John joined the family business, the Old Country School Restaurant, working together with their parents until its closing in 1987. Steve continued in restaurant management and John went on to work in the clerk and assessor’s offices until his retirement.
After Clarence’s death in 1985, John lived and traveled with Dorothy, and they attended musical performances and the theater until her passing at age 97 in 2012. Later, John and his husband, Don Settle, enjoyed exploring historical sights and experiencing the arts up to Don’s death in 2017.
John passed away in 2018. It was his greatest honor to memorialize his parents, Clarence and Dorothy Gerard, with a nursing scholarship endowment to continue his mother’s legacy of care for generations now and in the future.
Eligibility Criteria
Graduating seniors of any high school located in Posey, Vanderburgh, or Warrick counties with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) and who are planning to pursue a nursing degree at an accredited college, university, or technical/vocational school within the counties served by the Community Foundation Alliance (Daviess, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer Vanderburgh, and Warrick). Recipients of the scholarship must attend a college, university, or technical/vocational school located in one of these counties.
Selection Criteria
Selection will be based on the strength of the student’s essay (45%), involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, and/or work experience (45%), and financial need (10%).
Supplemental Requirements
Essay describing why the applicant wants to pursue a career in nursing (minimum one-page, not to exceed two pages, double spaced).
Completion of the FAFSA.
Official grade transcript.
Award Amount
$11,030
Application Deadline
January 19, 2026 at Midnight
Renewal Details
May be renewable for up to four consecutive years provided the recipient continues to pursue a nursing degree and remains in good standing with the college and pre-nursing/nursing program. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.
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We offer scholarships across a variety of fields, including academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.
Eligibility varies by scholarship but generally includes local students pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training.
Applications are submitted online through our website, following the instructions.
Each scholarship has a specific application period and deadline, listed on our website.
Some scholarships are one-time awards, while others may be renewable; details are provided with each opportunity.
Selection is based on criteria set by each scholarship, which may include academic performance, financial need, or community service.
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