Walls Family Trust establishes Overcoming Adversity Scholarship

(Tahlequah, OK)--Through the generosity of the Walls Family Trust, the Northeastern State University Foundation has established the Overcoming Adversity Scholarship for the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry.

Presentation of the check on behalf of the Walls Family Trust was made by Dr. Lesley L. Walls, who was dean of NSUOCO from 1987-1992. Walls' association with the College of Optometry dates to its beginnings in 1979 when he was among its first faculty. His wife, Dr. Maryann Keverline Walls, was also a part-time instructor in the college.

A $1,000 award will be given each year to a fourth-year student who has faced difficult situations during their undergraduate or graduate work in optometry that seriously threatened their success. Such difficult situations might include, but are not limited to, issues regarding family, social, health, emotional, dire financial status or other situations that were an obstacle overcome during the student's course of study.

"Because of the length of time spent by students to pursue the doctor of optometry degree, it is far too common to see a student who has to expend extraordinary efforts in overcoming an unexpected adversity," said Dr. Doug Penisten, dean of NSUOCO. "We are extremely pleased that our students will have this resource available to them in dealing with those obstacles. In most cases, it takes just a little extra support and encouragement for them to achieve their goal and become a successful optometric physician."

Eligible students must submit a synopsis, not exceeding one typewritten page, describing the difficulty and what was done to best it. Synopses must be turned in to the NSUOCO Office of Student Affairs.

For more information about supporting or applying for the Overcoming Adversity Scholarship, contact Natalie Batt, director of student and alumni affairs in the College of Optometry, at 918-444-4036.