News Release

New scholarship honors
UNC nursing alumna

CHAPEL HILL - A new scholarship has been created at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing in memory of alumna Pamela McClure Wichmann.

Wichmann was a nurse practitioner at Kernersville Family Practice in Kernersville, N.C., where she served as a clinical preceptor, supervising nurse practitioner students. She earned a master of science in nursing from the School of Nursing in 1999. In 2005, Wichmann was recognized by School of Nursing faculty as Preceptor of the Year for her ability to teach the art of blending nursing and medical skills and for serving as an outstanding role model.

The Pamela McClure Wichmann Memorial Scholarship was created with a gift of $50,000 from Pamela's husband, Bernard Anthony Wichmann, to honor her career as a nurse practitioner and clinical preceptor. The scholarship endowment creates a fund available in perpetuity for students pursuing master of science degrees in nursing with an advance practice concentration in women's and/or family health. The first $2,500 scholarship will be awarded in August 2007.

Wichmann's nursing career began more than 40 years ago when she graduated with an associate degree in nursing from Purdue University. She received a bachelor's degree from Winston-Salem State University, graduating with honors, before completing her master's degree in 1999 at UNC-Chapel Hill. Wichmann died in an automobile accident on Oct. 31, 2006.

"Pamela's life work in nursing and education will live in perpetuity through this endowed scholarship fund," said Norma Hawthorne, director of advancement for the School of Nursing. "Pamela was a dedicated nurse who was compassionate, considerate, caring, respectful and unselfish. This scholarship fund will help future students to develop the expertise to provide excellent, quality care for patients through graduate education, just like Pam did."

The scholarship counts toward the University's Carolina First Campaign. The Campaign's goal is to raise $2 billion by December 31, 2007. Carolina First is a comprehensive, multi-year, private fund-raising campaign to support Carolina's vision of becoming the nation's leading public university.

The School of Nursing was established in 1950 in response to the overwhelming need for nurses in North Carolina. It was the first nursing school in the state to offer a four-year bachelor's degree (1950); offer a master's degree in nursing (1955); initiate continuing education for nurses (1964); offer a PhD in nursing (1989); and offer an accelerated bachelor's degree option for second degree students (2001).

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School of Nursing contact: Amanda Meyers, 919-966-4619 or amanda_meyers@unc.edu
News Services contact: Becky Oskin, (919) 962-8596 or becky_oskin@unc.edu