Most scholarships arrive as an email notification or a letter. For Newman nursing senior Lydia Andreo, hers came with a dinner invitation.
Andreo, a Wichita native and graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, was named the 23rd recipient of the Marsha’s Angels Scholarship in early August.
The scholarship, which provides $4,000 per year for the final two years of a nursing program, was created to honor the memory of Marsha Yarnell, who served as a nurse for more than 30 years in Wichita, including 22 years in labor and delivery.
“This scholarship is a true blessing, allowing me to continue pursuing my studies and lifelong dream of caring for others,” Andreo said.
Marsha’s legacy
The Marsha’s Angels Scholarship is unique, not just for its financial support, but also for the community it builds. The Yarnell family invites the scholarship recipients, known as “Angels,” to a personal dinner and award ceremony to learn about the woman behind the legacy.
Andreo was particularly impressed by how personal the experience felt.
“I’ve been incredibly grateful for every scholarship I’ve received, but this one allowed me to actually meet Marsha’s family,” Andreo said. “Sitting down for dinner with the Yarnell family and hearing about Marsha’s life and career made the award feel like so much more than financial support for my education. It felt like they were welcoming me into a legacy that I now have the responsibility and privilege of carrying forward.”
As a nursing student, Andreo said learning about Yarnell’s impact throughout her career inspires her to envision her own.
“I hope to honor Marsha by carrying the same compassion and dedication to patient care into my own career,” Andreo said. “I want to remember that every patient is more than a diagnosis or a room number and that the way we treat people can stay with them long after they leave the hospital.”
She hopes to give back to other nursing students in the future, supporting them just as much as she felt supported throughout nursing school.
A calling in critical care
While Andreo was a member of the Newman cheer and dance team during her freshman year, her focus has shifted to the rigors of the nursing program and her work in the field. She currently serves as a nurse intern in the trauma surgical intensive care unit at Ascension Via Christi, which has only solidified her interest in critical care.
“My experiences in healthcare have really drawn me toward environments where nurses have to think critically and care for very complex patients,” she said.
Looking ahead, Andreo is considering pursuing a path as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Fellow Marsha’s Angels recipient and Newman alumna Alexia Gonzalez ‘20 also serves as encouragement for Andreo, as Gonzalez recently graduated from Fairfield University with her CRNA degree.
“Knowing that someone from Newman has taken that path definitely makes those possibilities feel more attainable,” Andreo said.
Regardless of the specific unit, Andreo’s primary goal remains centered on the patient experience. Her biggest goal is to be the kind of nurse who makes patients feel seen and cared for.
“Nursing is about so much more than completing tasks,” Andreo said. “I want my patients and their families to know that they have someone advocating for them and treating them with compassion, especially when they are going through something very difficult.”
Support at Newman University
Andreo chose Newman University for its strong Catholic identity and reputation in healthcare education. She said the tight-knit environment has provided the support necessary to navigate a challenging curriculum.
“Newman felt like a natural fit for me,” she said. “I really wanted to go somewhere where I wouldn’t just feel like another student, but where my professors and classmates would know me and support me through nursing school. Newman has definitely given me that experience.”
In addition to her studies, Andreo serves as a nursing tutor and is a member of the Nursing Student Council. She credits mentors like Sister Jenny Sellaro ‘20, ASC, for pushing her to excel, as well as her family for being a strong support system throughout her Newman journey.
“My parents, Jana Andreo and Eddie Andreo, and family have always encouraged me and supported me through the difficult parts of the program and have helped me in so many ways,” she said.
The bonds she shares with her fellow Newman nursing classmates have also been crucial.
“Nursing school is challenging and having people around me who understand what I’m going through has made a huge difference,” Andreo said. “I’ve made some of my best friends through nursing school.”
As she enters the final stages of her education, Andreo remains committed to the values represented by the Yarnell family.
“I promise to honor Marsha’s legacy in every patient I care for throughout my lifetime,” Andreo said.
Explore Newman’s nursing program
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Newman University provides a unique educational experience to equip students to transform society.
