DailyJournalOnline.com → Archives → MAC Foundation scholarships, role models and mentors help shape careers

E-mail this article

Print this article

Comments (0)

MAC Foundation scholarships, role models and mentors help shape careers

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

More Photos

Three Mineral Area College students — Stephanie Winkeler, Anita McEntire and Hanna Jenkins — are grateful for the support and generosity of Maudie Mae Marsh, who has taken a personal interest in helping women succeed in college and in the workplace.

"From personal experience, Ms. Marsh knows that hard work, determination and dedication yield dividends in the career world," said Peggy Ropelle, a MAC Foundation member. "Often Ms. Marsh touts 'career mentors' and 'role models' as valuable resources to assist college students shape their career paths. In her professional career, Ms. Marsh benefited from mentors of her own. Now, she serves in a bit of a mentor capacity herself by providing scholarship assistance as well as taking an interest in the education and future careers of Winkeler, McEntire and Jenkins.

Hanna, of Park Hills, plans to graduate with an associate's degree in nursing. She currently dovetails her patient tech position at Parkland Hospital with her coursework and caring for her young daughter. "I am so incredibly thankful for Ms. Marsh's scholarship," she said. "She's such an interesting and vivacious lady. She really believes women should have careers that allow them to be financially independent. I enjoyed visiting with her and hearing her stories about women helping other women succeed."

McEntire, another MAC nursing student and a single mother of three from Farmington, plans to put her nursing degree to work at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. "My long-term goal is to obtain my bachelor's degree and work in oncology," she said. "As a breast cancer survivor, I would like to use my personal and professional experiences to help others battle cancer. It made me feel good when Ms. Marsh's ideas supported my efforts to help others. I appreciate her willingness to share her insight to help us. I am thankful for her scholarship which allows me to spend a bit more time on my studies."

Criminal justice major Winkeler, of Bonne Terre, will complete her degree in December. She says her father has always been her role model. She plans to follow in his footsteps. "Ms. Marsh's scholarship enables me to afford more classes and complete my degree more quickly. She truly is an inspiration to all three of us! I will continue my classes at Central Methodist University at MAC in pursuit of my bachelor's degree," Winkeler said. "I plan to pursue a career with Homeland Security or the Department of Defense. Ms. Marsh reminded us to look at the benefits, such as retirement, when we are evaluating our career options. Also, I plan to continue my education and attain my dream of a Ph.D. in criminology or psychology."

Mineral Area College Foundation works with alumni, community individuals, organizations and businesses who wish to establish scholarships for Mineral Area College students. Scholarships can be one-time scholarships which are awarded immediately or endowed scholarships which are designed for long-term scholarship gifts. For information about Mineral Area College Foundation, contact Peggy Ropelle at (573) 518-211.