NATCHEZ — Ten practical nursing students at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus were chosen this fall semester to receive scholarships of $1,500 each from the Boyne Foundation of California.

The scholarships are designated for incoming nursing students to help with tuition, easing the financial burden on those selected.

“The generosity of the Boyne Foundation is deeply appreciated by our students and by us,” said Teresa Harrison, vice president of the Natchez campus. “This takes some of the worry out of the lives of our students so that they can focus on their academic success. We are very thankful.”

Nursing instructor Amanda Criswell said, “I cannot begin to explain what this opportunity means to my students. Many of them returned to school on a prayer, not knowing where the next semester’s financing would come from. This group of young women returned to school to find a better life and a career they could be proud of. With the generosity of the Boyne foundation they can focus on their studies and a bright future.”

Recipients are: Joanna Davidson, Charmaine Collier, Jennifer Delaughter, Simone Fleming; Denise Franklin and Ebony Chatman, all of Natchez; Kayla Daniels of Vidalia; Dora Claiborne of Centreville; Arthurine Walker of Lorman and Glenda Grayson of Fayette. Last year, five nursing students at Co-Lin’s Natchez campus received scholarships.

Natchez resident Mike Thompson, a former California resident, helped coordinate the scholarships with the Co-Lin Foundation and the Boyne Foundation. Thompson had befriended Dr. Phillip Boyne, an internationally acclaimed medical researcher and physician. Boyne died on June 9, and the foundation, a non-profit organization, is being directed by his heirs. One of Boyne’s goals was to help nursing students in rural America, and Thompson informed Boyne about the nursing programs in Natchez.

Thompsons said prior to his death, Dr. Boyne agreed to help financially students at both Co-Lin and Alcorn State University.

Ten Alcorn State University School of Nursing students also received $1,500 scholarships.

In 2008, five students from each campus received $1,000 scholarships from the Boyne Foundation.