A new endowed scholarship fund in the Western Illinois University School of Nursing is poised to accomplish multiple goals: provide financial support for WIU students, secure post-graduate employment for Leathernecks and meet the need for nurses in central Illinois.
This endowment is funded by Randy (WIU `75) and Kathy Germeraad with matching annual contributions from Memorial Health and is providing a unique employment for students in the WIU School of Nursing. Recipients of the Germeraad Memorial Health Scholarship will receive a $10,000 scholarship for each year of the WIU nursing program, with half of the funds coming from the Germeraads’ endowment paired with a matching $5,000 scholarship from Memorial Health. Additionally, recipients will be employed at one of the Memorial Health hospitals upon graduation. Scholarship recipients agree to work for Memorial Health for at least two years.
The Germeraads were inspired to launch this new scholarship fund through their deep level of involvement with Illinois healthcare. Randy serves on, and is the former chair of, the Memorial Health board of directors. He previously served on the Memorial Medical Center board, is the former chair of Memorial Behavioral Health, and is the former board chair of the Springfield Memorial Foundation. One of Kathy’s early volunteer involvements involved educational outreach with children for Friends of Memorial. She also served as chair of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.
The Germeraads are strong advocates for improving the health of individuals in all communities where Memorial Health has affiliates. They are also strong advocates for WIU, where Randy currently serves as the President of the WIU Foundation Board and is a former advisory board member for the College of Education and Human Services.
“Healthy communities are strong communities,” Randy said. “Memorial’s vision to improve lives and build stronger communities through better health resonates deeply with Kathy and me. Our hope is this scholarship will build a stronger connection between the WIU School of Nursing and Memorial Health.”
The Germeraad Memorial Health Scholarship Fund was fully endowed in 2023 and one WIU student is already benefiting from this extraordinary investment. Jewel Pippin, a junior from Bourbonnais, IL, is in her first year of the WIU nursing program and is the inaugural recipient of this new scholarship.
“This scholarship represents more than financial support; it is a symbol of belief in my potential, and for that, I am deeply grateful,” Pippin said. “It alleviates the financial burden I have, allowing me to focus on my studies and personal growth without the constant worry about how I’ll manage the costs. More importantly, it motivates me to push harder, to give my best, and to make the most out of every opportunity that comes my way.”
When Randy approached leadership at Memorial Health about partnering to fund this scholarship and develop this new employment pathway, the team at Memorial was quick to agree.
“The Germeraads are longtime supporters of Memorial Health and are true partners in our mission to improve lives and build stronger communities through better health,” said Ed Curtis, Memorial Health president and CEO. “I’m grateful for their generosity, which will forge stronger connections between Memorial and the high-quality nursing program at Western Illinois University.”
The WIU School of Nursing administration is also excited about what this unique collaboration means for the future of the program.
“We are deeply grateful to the Germeraads for their generosity and to Memorial Health for their partnership,” WIU School of Nursing Director Patricia Eathington said. “This opportunity not only makes a financial difference in the lives of our nursing students, it also strengthens the healthcare workforce in our community.”
After she graduates from the WIU School of Nursing in spring of 2026, Pippin will join the Memorial Health ranks.
“I am extremely excited to have a job ready for me when I graduate. I am especially excited to work in a hospital setting, as for four years I have worked in long-term care. When choosing my nursing specialty, I know that I want to be a trauma nurse, working in the ER or OR,” Pippin said.
The Germeraad Memorial Health Scholarship contributes to the ongoing success of the WIU School of Nursing, which has earned recognition for its students’ impressive NCLEX pass rate. Donors wishing to support the WIU School of Nursing or any other program within the College of Arts & Sciences can contact Director of Development Amy Crosby at al-crosby@wiu.edu.
***Courtesy of Western Illinois University***
