Scholarships & Awards

The Nursing Program has more than a dozen scholarships for which students can apply, targeting various fields and emphases of practice for Cal Poly Humboldt Nursing majors.  Amounts and numbers of scholarships are estimates, dependent on funding in any given year. Our goal is to provide as much monetary support for nursing students as possible, and we are grateful to our generous donors who make this possible. 

Beatrice Peckham Memorial Scholarship

Established by Donald Buttner Peckham (1910-1986) in 1995 in honor of his late wife Beatrice Peckham, this scholarship is awarded to a Nursing major with a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA who will be a junior or senior level student in the year of the award. Mr. Peckham was a native of San Jose and a graduate of San Jose High School and Stanford University. A veteran of WWII, he saw service in France and Germany in General Patton's 3rd Army. He retired in 1977 as insurance examiner for the CA State Dept of Insurance. Mrs. Peckham was born and raised in Garberville and went to Eureka High School. They both enjoyed the study of world religions and Mr. Peckham was a member of the Redwoods League. Typical award amount is $500 per student.

Deborah Cline Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2009 by the family of Deborah Cline (1964-2004) in her memory, this scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in Nursing who have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better, have demonstrated financial need, and are in the final year of the Nursing program. Ms. Cline graduated from Humboldt State University with a BS in Nursing in 1995. She was a professional nurse and spent much of her career in public health nursing. Typical award amount is $1,500 per student.

Diana McGurk Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2021 by Jack S. McGurk in memory of his wife, Diana McGurk (1944-2019) and to honor the nurses that cared for her during chemotherapy and hospice, this scholarship is awarded to Cal Poly Humboldt students enrolled in the RN to BSN Nursing program who maintain a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA. The commitment to healthcare runs deep in the McGurk family. Jack owns Systems Improvement Initiators, a consulting company for healthcare facilities and other organizations. As executive director of the non-profit Hospital Alliance Association, he helps hospitals improve operations and implement cost-effective environmental improvements. His daughter and two sisters are nurses as well. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Diana Pettit Berman Nursing Scholarship  

Established by Michael Berman (1942-2019) in 2019 in memory of his late wife, this scholarship is awarded to Nursing students who have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to serving those who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged. Diana Pettit Berman grew up in the town of Chehalis, Washington and went to college at the University of Oregon by means of a Weyerhauser Scholarship. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1966 and went on to Naval Officer Candidate School. She served in the Navy and later obtained a Masters of Nursing from University California San Francisco with a specialty in psychiatric nursing in 1971. She enjoyed careers in outreach nursing, nursing education (she taught at South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia, WA; St Martin’s College, Lacey Washington), as well as worked as an inpatient psychiatric nurse and house nursing supervisor for the last 15 years of her career. She succumbed to breast cancer in 1997. She always gave great thanks for the Weyerhauser Scholarship giving her the means to receive an education she may not have otherwise been able to obtain. Mr. Berman was a graduate of Humboldt State College (class of 1964 with a BS in Industrial Arts). He later obtained an MBA from Humboldt as well. Mike felt strongly that anyone with a desire to obtain an education should have the opportunity. Typical award amount is $2,000 per student.

Donahue Joseph Scholarship

Established in 2022 by Dr. Eden Donahue and Michelle Donahue in honor of family members who have dedicated their life to service and inspired future generations to serve their communities. The Donahue Joseph Scholarship is awarded to students studying in the Cal Poly Humboldt Nursing program who have financial need. Preference is given to first-generation students, student veterans or spouses of active duty/veterans, and students registered for services with the Cal Poly Humboldt Student Disability Resource Center. Preference is also for students from the following counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Trinity, Shasta, and Lassen. (In the future, should state and federal regulations change to permit the following demographics to receive preferential consideration, the donor prefers special consideration of students who are from under-represented groups including minority or LGBTQIA+ students.) Typical award amount is $1000 per student.

Eden Rubio Furgatch Memorial

Established by Jacob Furgatch in 2021 in memory of his wife, this scholarship is awarded to Nursing students who maintain a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA. Eden Rubio Furgatch (1958-2021), a 1983 graduate of Humboldt State University’s Nursing program, was passionate about her family, finances, and food. Eating healthy and feeding others brought her great joy. Helping educate other women about taking control of their financial lives was a personal passion of hers. Eden was strong, brave, and a fighter to the very end. Eden did not lose her 20-year battle with cancer, instead her body simply couldn’t keep up with her drive. Typical award amount is between $2,500 to $5,000 per student.

Eva Janson Nursing Scholarship

Established in 2021 by Sherman Shapiro to recognize Eva Janson for her over 30 years of service to the local community as a certified nurse-midwife, this scholarship supports students enrolled in the Cal Poly Humboldt Nursing program who hope to practice in Humboldt County in the future. Typical award amount is $2,000 per student.

Geriatric Nursing Scholarship

Established by an anonymous donor in 2004, this scholarship is awarded to Nursing students who have demonstrated an interest in Geriatric Nursing and maintain a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA.  Typical award amount is $2,000 per student.

Janice Bond Nursing Scholarship

Established with a bequest from Janice Bond in 2019, this scholarship is awarded to Nursing students who maintain  a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Joseph and Barbara Bania Nursing Scholarship

Established in 2020 by Joseph and Barbara Bania, this scholarship is awarded to Nursing students who maintain a 2.7 or better cumulative GPA and who demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Lillian E. Woodward Scholarship

Established by Wendy Woodward in 2016 in memory of her mother, Lilian E. Woodward, this scholarship is awarded to full-time students pursuing a degree in Nursing. Applicants must have at least two semesters of coursework toward degree completion and a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA. Wendy was a registered nurse and Nursing faculty for Cal Poly Humboldt from 1979 through her retirement as the chair of the Nursing program in 2007. She loved anything to do with being in the water, reading books, the beach, walks, and hikes. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Mad River Community Hospital Volunteers Nursing Scholarship

Established in 2022 by the Mad River Community Hospital Volunteers, this scholarship awards Cal Poly Humboldt Nursing students participating in the RN-BSN Program who are in good academic standing according to the standards of the University. Preference is given to students who have graduated from a high school in Humboldt County, earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from College of the Redwoods, or who are committed to living and working in the Humboldt County Region after graduation and who have financial need. Typical award amount is $1,000.

Phyllis E. Poska Memorial Scholarship

Established by Trudy Trigg (1920-2001) in 1993 in memory of her sister, Phyllis E. Poska, this scholarship is awarded to Nursing students who maintain  a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA. Trudy took care of Phyllis and her husband Ted, both of whom died in 1992. Trudy lived in Eureka for three years, then taught English in Orange County and later at Yuma High School. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Robin M. Smith, RN, BSN Nursing Scholarship  

Established in 2020 by alumnus Robin M. Smith, this scholarship is awarded to Nursing students who maintain a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA. ​​Smith credits her successful career in healthcare and the global bio-pharmaceutical clinical research industry due in part to her BSN degree from Humboldt State University. Her early nursing career was shaped during her time in Humboldt county, working at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka from 1976 to 1980 as a Nursing Assistant, Graduate Nurse, and RN, as well as completing her public health nursing student project with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, where she learned from tribal elders and healers. Later, she worked as a nurse in Seattle, conducting clinical research through the University of Washington, and ended up working in that field for 40 years, which took her all over the country and the world. Typical award amount is $2,000 per student and is renewable for a second year.

Roberta Luskin-Hawk, MD Nursing Scholarship

Established in 2021 by alumnus Wayne Caldwell in honor of Roberta Luskin-Hawk, this scholarship supports students enrolled in the Cal Poly Humboldt Nursing program who hope to practice in Humboldt County. Wayne Caldwell, CFP, is Chairman of local firm Premier Financial Group and is a Registered Investment Advisor. He was very inspired to fund this scholarship out of love and respect for Roberta, whose leadership shifted he and his firm’s philanthropic focus to local healthcare. Dr. Roberta Luskin-Hawk serves as Chief Executive, St. Joseph Health, Humboldt County; leading St. Joseph Hospital – Eureka, a 139 bed regional medical center which incorporates Level III Trauma, CV surgery, advanced cancer care; and Redwood Memorial Hospital, a 25 bed critical access hospital. Dr. Luskin-Hawk has been a hospital CEO since 2009. Prior to her current role, Dr. Luskin-Hawk served as Regional President & CEO for Presence Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago and Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Shirley and Palmer Jensen Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2021 by alumnus Rob Campbell in memory of the Jensens to support Cal Poly Humboldt Nursing students who maintain a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA. Rob met the Jensens and their family while studying at Humboldt. They welcomed him with open arms, often inviting him to share a meal and to watch football on Sundays. Shirley’s early nursing career involved working and teaching in hospitals in Iowa and South Dakota, but Shirley really found what she loved after she and Palmer moved to Arcata and she started working for Dr. E. Burns Lee. She also worked for Dr. Burns' son, Dr. Christopher Burns until her retirement. She loved her job, the patients they treated, and the Lee family. Patients said that Shirley was the best “shot giver” around; later she would teach injection classes to student nurses in Humboldt County. Palmer graduated from Humboldt with a degree in Industrial Arts in 1961 and worked for Bay Freight/System 99, Emilio Giori, and later as Equipment Manager for Cal Poly Humboldt. Both were beloved by their cherished family, friends, and community. They aimed to make a difference in the lives of their loved ones and their community, no matter how big or small, and they certainly did. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Terry L. Stogdell Scholarship

Established in 2021 by Ellie Cachette in memory of her father, this scholarship is awarded to a student who is pursuing a career with a focus in public health who demonstrates financial need as determined by the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. Students pursuing a degree in Psychology, Nursing, Chemistry, Biology, Kinesiology, or Biochemistry are eligible to apply.  Preference will be given to those students who have had to overcome or are coping with a health challenge. ​​Affectionately known as Terry amongst his friends in various Hemophilia, HIV/AIDS and other communities within Northern California, Terry L. Stogdell (1964-2002) suffered from Hemophilia and later HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis as a further complication of contaminated Hemophilia medication. Raised by a single mother in the bay area, Terry had never graduated high school let alone had a college education on his path. When diagnosed with HIV in 1985, at 21 years old and shortly after his first and only child Desiree was born, the concept of a college education seemed less likely for Terry so he shifted his priorities to public health and ensuring his daughter pursued a college education unlike himself. Typical award amount is $1,000 per student.

Apply for Scholarships by clicking the Quick Link on myHumboldt.