Mary Conner Scholarship for Nursing
The Mary Conner Scholarship for Nursing will help full-time students from SU’s School of Nursing achieve the same goal Conner set for herself decades ago. Conner's granddaughter Annette Wallace and other family members have contributed to the fund, and the scholarship is set to be awarded starting in 2024.
“I wanted to give her something important that she would value,” Wallace said. “I knew she would value helping other people who were struggling to make ends meet and get their nursing degree, like she did.”
With the example set by Conner and her sisters, the family has attended college at SU for generations. Wallace’s mother, sister and cousin also are SU alumni. Wallace herself graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and secondary education. Because of the family’s long history with the University, a donation to benefit future students seemed like a perfect fit.
“In addition to following the example my grandmother set, I would attribute any success in my career to the education I received at SU,” Wallace said. “I have nothing but great things to say about the way SU prepared me as a student, and I enjoy giving back.”
“Education is your key to a better life for yourself,” Wallace said. “My grandma is a product of that, and so am I. We have been blessed to have her for nearly 97 years, so if we can help other people on the same journey, it’s meaningful. That’s why we tell our stories.”