Grant bolsters scholarships for veterans, health care students

Anna C. MacAskill Schwab & Dwight L. Schwab Sr. Charitable Foundation provides $35,000

Clark College Foundation received a $35,000 grant from the Anna C. MacAskill Schwab & Dwight L. Schwab Sr. Charitable Foundation for scholarships for veterans and students enrolled in health-related programs at Clark College.

Members of the Clark College Veterans Club and Associated Students welcomed student veterans to the new Veterans Resource Center in March 2014. Also pictured are Vet Corps Navigators (and VCAS advisors) Tim McPharlin, far left, and Josh Vance, far right.

Clark County has more than 35,000 veterans; nearly 800 student veterans are enrolled at Clark. The Anna C. MacAskill Schwab & Dwight L. Schwab Sr. Charitable Foundation funds scholarships that help student veterans integrate into the workplace through career training. Academic scholarships have a direct bearing on the success and well-being of the community’s veterans and their families. While enrolled at Clark College, veterans also have access to resources that include assistance to overcome or mitigate homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, violence and suicide.

In addition to veterans, the Schwab grant also funds scholarships for students studying nursing, dental hygiene and medical radiology. This year’s grant allotment includes an emphasis on coursework that provides education on nutrition and wellness.

There is a significant demand for graduates in these fields because of an aging population and the retirement of health care workers. According to a Health Care Skills Panel report (Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council), more than 1.2 million Washington State residents will be older than age 65 by 2020.  During this decade, there will be at least 6,000 health care job openings annually in this state. The projected increase is significantly higher for Southwest Washington than the statewide average.

Clark College is the largest entity for comprehensive health education in Southwest Washington. Research shows that effective worksite wellness programs provide a positive return on investment. It is estimated that $2.71 is saved for every $1 spent on wellness promotion by reducing absenteeism, increasing productivity and improving overall well-being of employees.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Clark College Foundation has received funding from the Anna C. MacAskill Schwab & Dwight L. Schwab Sr. Charitable Foundation. Clark College Foundation has received an average of $39,000 annually for a total of $195,000.