NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Leah Jackson (jacksonl@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

1/21/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- The Armand and Docia Lestage LaCour Endowed Scholarship for a student in the College of Nursing has been established at Northwestern State University. The scholarship, made possible through a donation to the NSU Foundation from the Rev. Doyle and Barbara Bailey of Natchez, honors Mrs. Bailey's grandparents. A matching donation was made through the Rapides Foundation.

Selection for the $1,200 per year scholarship is based on academic standing, grade point average and demonstrated potential for outstanding contributions to the nursing field. The recipient must be a Louisiana resident and must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

Ann Falcone of Shreveport was the selected as the first recipient of the scholarship.

"Nursing is important because my grandmother was such a caregiver," Mrs. Bailey said. "She took care of children, grandchildren, neighbors. A nursing scholarship is a way to honor that and make it last."

Mrs. Bailey comes from a family of caregivers, which she and her many relatives attribute to her grandparents' influence. Armand and Docia Lestage LaCour, long-time residents of the Cane River area, both lived into their 90s and were an example to many generations of people, Mrs. Bailey said. The scholarship also honors Mrs. Bailey's mother, Estelle "Susie" Parsons, 89, who dreamed of becoming a nurse, but decided to forego her education to support her family.

"We chose nursing because of that aspect and because of awareness that there was a need and a shortage," she said.

Rev. Bailey is a trustee for the Rapides Foundation, an organization that works diligently to improve education, health and the arts in the central Louisiana area. A portion of the funds for the scholarship came from the Rapides Foundation, in keeping with that organization's mission of wellness, Bailey said.

"Through my work with the Rapides Foundation, I noticed nursing shortages and lack of funds available in nursing education," Rev. Bailey said.

"Recognizing the significant role of nursing in the delivery of quality, cost-effective health care within Louisiana, the Baileys chose to impact health care," said Dr. Norann Planchock, dean of NSU's College of Nursing. "Through this endowed scholarship, a nursing student will be supported each year that has the potential to make lifelong contributions as a nurse."

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