Newman nursing students Lindsay Espinosa-Pablo and Brandon Welch received far more than a glazed donut during Jet Friday on April 5.
Espinosa-Pablo and Welch each received a $500 nursing scholarship from veterans of the Voiture 58, the Wichita chapter of the 40&8 Military Honor Society.
The 40&8 Military Honor Society is a philanthropic, nonprofit veterans organization that supports those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. According to its website, the exclusive group — made up of active and honorably discharged veterans — participates in projects that support the nation’s health by “fostering a nurses training program and selected charitable endeavors.”
The 40&8 has been donating to Newman consistently since 1993. Fred Howard, an Army veteran who served from 1970-72, is the director of nursing for the local 40&8 chapter, Voiture 58, and director of nurse training at the state level. Beyond these roles, Howard said supporting current nursing students holds a special place in his heart.
“My daughter is a nurse at the KU (University of Kansas) Medical Center so I have that personal connection, but nurses are so important — especially for veterans,” Howard said. “It’s just so fulfilling to be able to do this.”
In addition to the scholarship, Howard and fellow veterans Bruce Kouba, John Roberts, Lee Nenortas, Fred McMillen and Tim Evans (not present) gifted the two Newman students a blue 40&8 registered nurse pin. The intention is for students to wear the pins as they serve their patients while reminding them of the 40&8 group’s support.
“I think it’s great that those of us who have served our country are seeing those who will serve their community in healthcare,” said Nenortas, who served in the Air Force from 1990 to 2022. “Nursing is a great endeavor and calling. We wish them luck and know they are going to do great things.”
An unexpected surprise
Both Espinosa-Pablo and Welch knew they would meet with the veterans from 40&8 over Jet Friday donuts, but were surprised by the generous scholarship and pin.
“Newman has so many nursing scholarships listed on its website and others they can recommend, but I wasn’t expecting one to reach out to us,” Welch said. “It was really surprising and sweet.”
“I feel very surprised,” Espinosa-Pablo added. “I was not expecting this at all.”
It’s just so fulfilling to be able to do this.
Fred Howard of the 40&8 Military Honor Society
Espinosa-Pablo’s primary goal as a future nurse is to make her patients feel comfortable, valued and cared for to the best of her ability.
“I want to make a difference, even if it’s a small difference, for each person,” she said. “Hospitals can be stressful environments and not the nicest places to stay. So making their stay as smooth as possible is important to me.”
Welch, a 2016 Newman biology graduate, has always been interested in medicine. He initially wanted to be a veterinarian or dentist but transitioned to nursing after receiving his certified nursing assistant license.
“I just love helping people and I kept coming back to nursing,” Welch said. “So I came back to Newman. I’ve really loved it.”
Welch hopes to work in the intensive care unit or neonatal ICU, but his biggest objective is to provide quality care to all his patients.
“I hope I can be a very therapeutic nurse who can help them through whatever they may be going through,” Welch said.
Newman Director of Nursing Ashton Clarkson said it was a “full-circle moment” to witness the students as they met members of the 40&8. The pin and scholarship represent the connections between the Newman nursing program and those who benefit in the broader community.
“The 40&8 is specifically tied to nursing, and shows our students how far their impact can spread out into our community,” Clarkson said.
Earn a nursing degree from Newman University
Graduates of the Newman nursing program consistently score higher than the national and state average on the licensure exam.
