Arkansas State University – Newport (ASUN) has announced the inaugural recipient of the Three Rivers Healthcare & Rehabilitation Scholarship as Jacob Breytspeak.
Breytspeak was chosen among the qualified applicants for his essay, which stood out within the field of scholarship candidates, according to Christopher Hicks, ASUN’s director of nursing and allied health.
From left: Teriann Turner (ASUN), Jacob Breytspeak, Tara Dunnick (Three Rivers), Brittney Ward (Three Rivers) / Image via ASUN
“All of the applicants academically were fairly equal,” said Hicks. “So, that left the essay portion of the application. I read each applicant’s essay and when I read Jacob’s, I knew he was deserving of this scholarship.”
Breytspeak’s essay delved into his own medical struggles and his candid paper showed his exemplary dedication to achieving his career aspirations.
“In his essay, Jacob openly talked about a medical condition that he has had since he was a teenager and how that has driven him to enter a career in healthcare,” said Hicks. “He wants to take his experience and help others, so they do not have the same problems as him. He plans on working with geriatric patients while continuing his nursing education.”
Breytspeak, who will receive a $1,000 scholarship, will complete his Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training at ASUN before transferring to Arkansas State University where he intends to obtain his bachelor’s degree in nursing.
