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Category: Community News Community News
Published: 12 May 2015 12 May 2015

Catherine Stailey, 24 Club Betty Cook Memorial Scholarship recipient, will graduate Friday with a dual major in cellular biology and chemistry. Possessing a grade point average of 3.89, the single mother of two young boys has been accepted into the College of Pharmacy, Pharm D program at the University of New Mexico.

"The experience of earning a college education has been hugely rewarding. I have been so fortunate to be mentored and encouraged by the Club 24 members. Their confidence in me, as well as their financial support, has made my time at WNMU more impactful and meaningful. As I pursue a doctorate at UNM, I will draw inspiration from their support. I look forward to the day when I can pay their kindness forward!" Catherine stated. Additionally expressing her appreciation for the Betty Cook Scholarship, which she received for 4 years, "the scholarship enabled me to focus on studying and furthering my goals."

Mary Cowan, 24 Club Scholarship Chair and board member of the WNMU Foundation, expressed the club's pride regarding Catherine's achievements. "Cat is a standout among many outstanding students 24 Club scholarships have supported over the past 60 years."

The long-enduring 24 Club scholarship program enables the organization to achieve its mission "to be of real service by supporting educational, charitable, and needy projects in Grant County. The prime objective of the group is to provide scholarships for Grant County women at WMMU. The original scholarship was established in 1952 as a memorial to Betty Cook, the first club member to die. It now serves as a memorial to all deceased members as well as Betty Cook. The more recent 24 Club Chris Drangmeister Memorial scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of esteemed member/public school educator, Christine Davis Drangmeister.

24 Club members have worked over 70 years on countless and varied fundraisers in order to fund this significant ($4000/yr) local scholarship program. Thanks to community support, its current successful scholarship fundraising project is the 24 Club Annual Home Tour to be held Sunday, June 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.