ANN MILLER WADDELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR NURSING | Jim & Shirley Waddell

Contact: Jim and Shirley Waddell

Jim and Shirley began funding scholarships and grants in 1989 with the first scholarship being named for Jim’s parents. The Orville H. and Freda M. Waddell Scholarship at the University of Illinois is given annually to transferring students from statewide community colleges who are entering the field of Horticulture. Since that time, they have funded the Evelyn Abrahamson Memorial Scholarship in Nursing, the Ann Miller Waddell Memorial Scholarship in Nursing, the James and Shirley Waddell/SwedishAmerican Health System Scholarship and the James and Shirley Waddell/SwedishAmerican Medical Foundation Nursing Grant.

ANN MILLER WADDELL 1947-1986

Ann had a very difficult childhood because of the absence of her mother and an alcoholic father. She was actually raised by a loving foster family who instilled wonderful values of hard work, focus, and the value of education. She was the top of her graduating class from nurse’s training and was rated as an extremely fine nurse.

Ann married James Waddell in 1968 shortly after Ann’s graduation from Burnham School of Nursing in Champaign, Illinois. Ann worked at Rockford Memorial Hospital upon graduation until their second son was born. She went on to volunteer at various community agencies in Rockford, and later in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. In 1986, Ann was diagnosed with cancer and passed away soon after.

When Ann passed, there were many memorial gifts leaving the question of where this money should go that would provide the biggest benefit. Ann’s best friend suggested that a scholarship in Ann’s memory be funded at the School of Nursing at Rock Valley College. This scholarship has been providing assistance to nursing students for over 30 years.

Shirley and Jim Waddell are very grateful for, and proud of, the many RVC School of Nursing graduates who have gone on to serve and assist so many people in our health systems and community.