RUC nursing student recognized with scholarship for embodying the strengths of the program

emily-snow-10-22
Emily Snow

For many students at Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, there may be a sense of deja vu when they enter the building to prepare for their careers as healthcare professionals.

From its opening in 1967 until 2007, Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital (CRCH) was a fully functioning hospital, providing mainly pediatric and women’s healthcare services. In 2007, Carilion Clinic consolidated most of its services just a mile down Jefferson Street at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, and shortly after that, Carilion’s Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS) moved into the space at CRCH and set up shop. In 2019, JCHS became RUC after merging with Radford University.

If you do the math, that timeline potentially allows many of the babies born at CRCH to now be entering the same building as students at RUC. That is certainly the case for Emily Snow, a student in the traditional Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

“My twin brother and I were indeed born in Roanoke Community Hospital, which is where I now attend my classes,” said the Salem native. “I felt RUC was the ideal environment that would help me to obtain my degree in nursing, and I was drawn to the small class sizes as well as the personal support that RUC offered through their advising and academic services.”

Snow, who expects to earn her degree in the fall of 2024, has excelled in her program, earning the praise of Radford University’s School of Nursing Interim Dean Wendy R. Downey, D.N.P. Downey says Snow is an outstanding student and embodies the strong, capable and compassionate aspects of Radford’s nursing program.

Recently, Snow received recognition externally for her performance as one of only 20 recipients nationally of the Henry J. Reilly Scholarship from the Reserve Organization of America. The scholarships are awarded for vocational, undergraduate and graduate studies based on academics, leadership and service and potential for contribution to society.  

“As the granddaughter of a lifelong member of the Reserve Organization of America, I was eligible to apply for the scholarship,” Snow said. “I had to supply my transcripts, three recommendations, my resume and an essay about the influence of having a family member in the military and how it has affected my development and life goals.”

Named in honor of the organization’s first president, the scholarship provides $2,500 to each recipient to assist toward their studies.  

“I am paying for my own education, and receiving this scholarship helps relieve financial pressure,” Snow said.

Snow said that one of the first calls she made when she learned about receiving the scholarship was to her granddad. Snow recalled that “he was so proud of me and thankful to the Reserve Officers Association.”

Snow said she hopes to work locally in the Roanoke Valley once she gets her degree from RUC.

“Growing up in this area, I want to give back to the community,” she said. “I’m not yet sure which nursing specialty I would like to pursue because I am interested in so many different areas.”

The good news is Snow has a couple of years to discover her path and lots of support from her professors as she explores her options.

“RUC has professors that are caring, compassionate, professional and want their students to be well prepared for their healthcare careers,” Snow said. “Attending a school with smaller class sizes allows for closer relationships with others, and they are helping me find my path wherever that may take me.”     

More information about the Henry J. Reilly Scholarship and a list of this year’s recipients can be found on the Reserve Organization of America’s website.

More information about the Radford University School of Nursing and the traditional nursing program can be found on the School of Nursing page.

Oct 17, 2022
Mark Lambert
540-831-2389
mlambert11@radford.edu