Just ask sisters Brittney Bicket and Heather Hemann. Heather, recently married to Josh Hemann, graduated in December 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Allen College. Brittney, a transfer student, will graduate with the same degree in two years.

In addition to her studies, Brittney works part-time in the faculty office and as a general nurse's aide in Waterloo. She likes the idea of teaching and may one day pursue a master's degree. Heather now works in the Cedar Rapids area and lives between her family and her husband's.

Like most Allen College students, the sisters from Reinbeck need financial help to pay for college. This academic year, Brittney is receiving help from two named scholarships: the Charles A. Waterbury, M.D. Scholarship and the Community Foundation-Keith M. and Dorothea W. Baskins Scholarship Fund. Heather receives the Sage Family Scholarship.

"We are both so grateful for our scholarships," Heather notes. "There is a great need for nurses, so it really makes a difference. We might not be able to go here otherwise."

The relationship between scholarship donors and recipients creates a special bond-almost like an extended family. "I met Jim Waterbury and the Baskins family and enjoyed sitting with them at the scholarship dinner," says Brittney. "You can never thank your scholarship donors enough."

"The Sages were so happy to meet me at the banquet in September," adds Heather. "I'm going to send the family my wedding picture."

Allen College believes in family. Families take care of each other. That's why Allen College seeks support from donors like you, so that students who want to pursue a career in the healing arts aren't prevented from doing so just for lack of funds.

Each year, Allen donors help 100 Allen College students follow their dreams. But Allen College is growing fast, and we have 300 more students who could also use your help. More students mean more faculty, more facilities and more housing. That makes the need for more scholarships very real, but it's a wonder problem to have.

You can help the Allen family and students like Heather and Brittney with your tax-deductible gift to Allen Foundation. You can designate a gift to the Jane Hasek Scholarship, the Allen College Scholarship Fund, the Fund for Alumni Hall or general college usage. You can also set up your own scholarship in your name or the name of someone you want to honor. It is simple to do, and we promise you will enjoy the experience. Allen College students meet with their donors every year in the fall at out scholarship banquet, and every year our donors tell us how much fun they are having, helping a student through school.

To learn more, just click on How Can I…? or e-mail Allen Foundation Director Matt Rolinger at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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