South Walton's Potter Creates Endowment For Nursing Scholarship

04/19/2006

If you lived or visited South Walton County in the past three or four decades, it's a good bet you've crossed paths with Pat Potter. Over the years as a chamber executive, real estate office manager, and an assortment of other duties, Potter always had the pulse of the community.

"I guess I'd have to say it's been a great ride that's still going," said the out-going Potter. "I just enjoy working and being around people. I like being part of things that are positive, that improve things and that make a difference."

The effervescent Potter, a Georgia native who "stays on the go to stay healthy" splitting time at her home in Dune Allen Beach and a north Georgia mountain cabin, has made a major gift to the Okaloosa-Walton College Foundation to create the Patricia Potter Family Nursing Scholarship Endowment.

"Let's face it," said Potter with her grandmotherly grin, "I'm not getting any younger and after a couple of hip surgeries I became well acquainted with the problem of hospitals not having enough nurses."

An OWC Foundation emeritus board member, Potter said she growth of the OWC Registered Nursing program and the fact there were not enough scholarships to go around keyed her decision to establish the nursing scholarship. "Sometimes I feel like I've been part of the college since it started 40 years ago," she said. "It is such a great place that has done so much for the community and helped so many students improve their lives."

"I'm sure most people think the responsibility for funding community colleges belongs to the state," said Potter. "Well, state taxes pay for a little more than a third and the rest falls back on tuition from students. I hope by doing this scholarship I might be teaching others how to give. We've got to sustain the momentum this college has going."

OWC president Dr. Bob Richburg praised Potter not just for her contribution "but for being a doer, not standing still and for encouraging others. Pat Potter is one of those influential people who doesn't know she's influential. She's always been so knowledgeable about people."

Richburg called Potter "an ambassador for OW" as long as he's been at the college. "The Potter Family Nursing Scholarship fills a vital need as the college expands the Registered Nursing program and grows the nursing bachelor's degree program," said Richburg, who also thanked foundation board member Al Donaldson for working with Pat Potter to create the scholarship. He added that her $12,000 gift will be matched by state funds to endow the scholarship. "But," added Richburg, "Pat Potter already is permanently part of OW."

Endowed scholarships utilize the interest income generated by the gift to perpetually fund annual full-tuition scholarships for students to attend Okaloosa-Walton College. Scholarships can be named in memory or in honor of an individual, group or business.