Nursing Scholarship Honors Beloved Faculty Member

In September 2021, the College of Coastal Georgia lost one of its beloved faculty members who truly inspired students to be their best. Associate Professor of Nursing,Dawana Gibbs, who was a champion for students and emphasized a culture of compassion in nursing, passed away. Gibbs graduated from then Brunswick Junior College in 1984, then returned in 1992 to pass along her experience and knowledge of best nursing practices. In doing so, she helped to create a pathway of long-term success for aspiring nurses. In honor of her work, the Dawana Gibbs Nursing Scholarship was formed in 2021, and since its creation, over 100 people have contributed to the scholarship in her memory.

The Dawana Gibbs Nursing Scholarship is a community-supported scholarship that friends, family, community members, former co-workers, College faculty and staff have given to in her honor to support aspiring nurses. Their support is a testament to Gibbs’ tireless energy, compassion, and unwavering dedication to students.

“Dawana was such a strong advocate for students and for their success,” said Dr. Lydia Watkins, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. “This scholarship is a wonderful way to honor her memory and legacy with the nursing program. She would be proud to know that so many students will be able to attend the College and become future nurses because of the Dawana Gibbs Nursing Scholarship.”

The first two recipients of the scholarship are Associate of Science in Nursing students Kevin Howard of Savannah and Shannon Evertsen of Camden.

Howard said receiving the scholarship was a big support to his education and helps him afford study materials for class. Of Gibbs, he said that she made an impact early in his nursing journey. His biggest memory of Gibbs was during a group presentation. None of theother students in his group wanted to stand up front with him for the presentation.

“I was standing up there by myself and I was nervous,” Howard said. “I looked over and there was Ms. Gibbs, giving a very supportive look. I knew right away that she was the face of the program.”

Howard will be continuing his education at the College and will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He’s currently doing an externship in the emergency room at Memorial Hospital in Savannah.

For Evertsen, receiving the scholarship has made a huge impact in her life. She’s a single mom and is now raising a grandchild.

“It’s a huge relief for me financially, and to be able to continue without the added stress has been great,” she said.

Evertsen will also pursue her bachelor’s in nursing at the College and works in the emergency room of the Southeast Georgia Health System in Camden.

She described Gibbs as a cheerleader, cheering on students to finish because she wouldn’t let them quit. At one point, Evertsen wanted to quit herself and didn’t know what to do.

“That’s why I say, ‘What Would Dawana Do?’ She wouldn’t quit. She’d keep going. She would figure it out and so do you,” Evertsen said. “I just loved her bubbly personality. She was always bright. Whenever she walked in the room, you knew she was there. You didn’t even have to look around, you knew she was there. It was a very good experience that we had with her. It’s sad that we didn’t get what everyone else got, but I know that she’s still cheering us on.”

The Gibbs Family is very grateful to those who have shown their support and given towards the scholarship.

In a statement, the family said, “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love shown our family through gifts to Dawana’s scholarship. The family wanted to keep Dawana’s legacy alive for many more generations of nurses, and we are excited to celebrate the first recipients.”

Gibbs’ positive influence will be felt for many generations to come as her former students provide compassionate, empathetic, and authentic care. This scholarship will give aspiring nurses the opportunity to complete their education and continue her legacy of compassion in the healthcare field.

Those interested in contributing to the Dawana Gibbs Scholarship can visit www.ccga.edu/Dawana.