LHSON Hosts Annual Endowed Scholarship Celebration Dinner

The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) joined together in celebration of its annual LHSON Endowed Scholarship Celebration Dinner. Hosted on Thursday, November 06, 2025 at the LHSON Academic Building, over 100 guests gathered for a heartfelt evening as five new endowment plaques were presented.

Dean Linda Plank and Janis Kovar, Senior Development Director for the LHSON presented five plaques for new scholarship endowments that included: 

• Hill Family Endowed Scholarship Fund in Nursing
  Generously Given by Shari and Terry Hill
• Rev. Dr. Connie Cole Jeske and Dr. Leroy Jeske Endowed Scholarship Fund in Nursing
  Generously Given by Connie and Leroy Jeske
• Kathleen Keenan Keys and Dennis Keys Endowed Scholarship For First Generation College Students in Nursing 
  Generously Given by Dennis and Kathleen Keys
• Lindsay and Sam Loughlin Endowed Scholarship Fund in Nursing
  Generously Given by Lindsay and Sam Loughlin
• Martha Painter Sheeder Endowed Scholarship Fund in Nursing
  Generously Given by Martha Painter Sheeder Family 

“The LHSON is grateful to those that contributed to these endowments to make a meaningful difference in the lives of future Baylor nurses,” said Linda Plank, Dean of the LHSON. “Now, more than ever, the impact of nurses is felt worldwide. LHSON is leading the way by holistically preparing and educating students in mind and spirit to fulfill their calling.”

The evening provided a reception with a harp performance by Hannah Cooley, BSN, ’17 and new LHSON faculty member. During the dinner and program opening remarks were shared by Dean Linda Plank BU BSN, ‘77 and David Wolf, Senior Associate Vice President of Advancement and Campaign Co-Director for Baylor. The invocation was graciously given by Kirby Key, BU BSN, followed by special remarks from Nan and Phil Ketcham, who honored cancer survivors. 

A tribute video from 2019 was shown in remembrance of Martha Painter Sheeder whose daughter, Meredith Sheeder, shared special remarks about her mom’s endowed scholarship at the nursing school. Martha had four beautiful daughters, Allison, Meredith, Lindsay, and Maury and in October 2016, after her passing the sisters were determined to raise enough money to create the Martha Painter Sheeder Endowed Scholarship in Nursing. From gifts through a GoFundMe page they created and individual gifts, their dream became a reality. The Martha Painter Sheeder Endowed Scholarship is for a FastBacc student that is a cancer survivor or for a student that has an immediate family member that has had cancer.

The special evening also included a compelling student testimony given from nursing student Rylee Moore who is a recipient of the Sheeder scholarship followed by words of inspiration from Janis Kovar, Senior Development Director of the LHSON. The evening concluded with the song, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, sung by Whitney Taylor Cortner, BU, ’95, LHSON Director of Marketing and Communications.

Special thanks to the vendors and volunteers that helped make the evening possible, including our generous silent auction donors. 

Vendors and Volunteers
Baylor University LHSON student, faculty and staff volunteers
Ben O’Neal Photography
Fire & Hive Bee Farm, Nathan Craver
Restoration Design Co., Kristen Fields
Royal Catering

Silent Auction Donors
Angry Dog Bar & Grill - Robert Little
Ben O’Neal Photography
Brianna Cannon
Eataly
Kendra Scott
Laura Whitehead Moore
Northpark Center
The Perot Museum