September, 2005 - The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) has granted Southern Vermont College's (SVC) baccalaureate and associate degree Nursing programs a five-year accreditation. The Nursing programs are also fully certified by the Vermont State Board of Nursing.
Sirvis also offered appreciation for the community's support. "We wish to thank our friends at Southwestern Vermont Health Care for their encouragement and understanding throughout these past few months. We are also grateful for the continued support of our Nursing students. This has been a stressful time for them, and they have shown grace and dignity though out it all."
In a letter to the College, Barbara Grumet, Executive Director of the NLNAC, congratulated SVC on its "outstanding achievement" in receiving five-year accreditation status. " . . . you and your faculty have demonstrated your commitment to the highest standards of nursing education."
College President Barbara Sirvis was pleased with the news of the accreditation. "We have always known our Nursing degree programs are of the highest quality. The collective efforts of the Nursing faculty, staff, and students have been rewarded with this accreditation."
March, 2006 - Southern Vermont College in Bennington has announced the creation of several new Private Donor Scholarships available to students in Fall 2006. Private Donor Scholarships are established to honor a donor or in memory of a specific individual. Criteria vary and are determined individually for each scholarship.
The first new scholarship is the Genrick S. Sirvis Memorial Scholarship Fund established with gifts offered in memory of the father of College President Barbara P. Sirvis. More than 50 donors, thus far, have supported this fund which provides scholarships to students who are the first in their family to attend college.
The next two scholarships were established by College Trustee Kelton Miller in memory of his parents, Lawrence Kelton Miller and Amy Bess Williams Miller. These scholarships assist students who are "serious about enhancing their lives through higher education" as part of the College's mission.
In addition, Southern Vermont College Alumnus Ira Wagner '83 has created a scholarship fund with the Central Scholarship Bureau of Baltimore, Maryland, to assist students graduating from Baltimore high schools who have financial need and want to attend Southern Vermont College. "The Wagner Family Scholarship is a way to honor my parents and their commitment to education and young people, while forever improving the lives of students in financial need and a college eager to serve them."
The College's Director of Development Karen Trubitt explained the significance of private donor scholarships. "Southern Vermont College annually provides more than $1.2 million in aid to our students which would not be possible without the support of donors like these who are committed to the College's mission. We are always pleased to talk with individuals or companies about the opportunity to establish new scholarships at the College or receive donations towards our many existing scholarships."
Southern Vermont College offers myriad private donor scholarships including those in memory of local community leaders such as Alger Beal (environmental studies), William and Phyllis Morse (payment of books), Robert Stout (nursing), Daniel Tange (criminal justice), and Olin Scott (male graduates of Vermont high schools).
For a complete description of scholarships and scholarship criteria or for more information on giving programs at Southern Vermont College, contact Trubitt at 802-447-6327. Additional information about the College is available at www.svc.edu.
Founded in 1926, Southern Vermont College is located in Bennington. The College believes in a personalized approach to learning and offers a private, career - oriented, liberal arts education and academic support services in a safe, environmentally respectful and supportive environment.