2025 Applicant
Transfer Merit Scholarship Recipient
Lakeview College of Nursing (LCN) awarded a transfer merit scholarship valued at $20,000 to Marc Villaester of Danville, IL.
He was chosen among the many qualified applicants based on his outstanding academic record, according to Amy McFadden, LCN Scholarship Committee Chair.
Villaester is the son of March and Troy Villaester of Danville, IL. He is a 2025 graduate of Schlarman Academy in Danville, IL.
He has attended Danville Area Community College in Danville, IL, to complete the necessary preliminary coursework to transfer in Fall 2025 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from LCN.
Villaester was very appreciative of the scholarship award. He explained that he was surprised with this scholarship as well as the LCN Next Generation of Caring Scholarship during his high school honors night ceremony. “When these scholarships were announced, I was astounded, it felt like a tremendous weight was lifted off my shoulders, and when I looked into the crowd, the proud face of my family only made it better. These scholarships are a blessing to receive and I am very grateful for them,” said Villaester.
He is looking forward to his career as a nurse and said that with two parents who work in the medical field, he always knew that a healthcare career was something he would like to pursue, and a personal experience strengthened that interest. “What further narrowed my scope to become a nurse was when my life was saved with the help of courageous nurses at a moment's notice. Additionally, by becoming a nurse, it opens the door to endless possibilities. These factors have all played a part in convincing me to become a nurse,” explained Villaester.
In the future, Villaester would like to further his education and become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
McFadden said the College's scholarship committee seeks to reward and encourage high-achieving transfer students. She is grateful that the College's board of directors is committed to providing financial assistance to its students.
"The funding for this scholarship, as well as the funding for our transfer financial need-based scholarship, was made available through a wise long-term investment strategy spearheaded by former CEO Dick Shockey and current College President Sheila Mingee," added McFadden.
The scholarship award will assist Villaester with the cost of tuition, books, and necessary supplies for Lakeview's Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.
More information about scholarship opportunities at Lakeview can be found at https://lcn.edu/scholarships.
LCN offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. It is a single-purpose, private institution specializing in nursing education in the Danville, IL, area since 1894.