Nursing scholarship honors student’s memory
April 20, 2006 - Posted in Scholarship“RVCC is extremely grateful to the Stassens for their generous and thoughtful endowment. The Fabienne Stassen Nursing Scholarship Endowment gift is a fitting tribute to a young woman who was a shining example of RVCC’s nursing students.”
Richard F. Schaub Interim President, Raritan Valley Community CollegeNORTH BRANCH — Fabienne Stassen was only 33 when she died unexpectedly in her sleep in February. Her life as a caring and nurturing health care provider barely begun. As a 2002 graduate of the nursing program at Raritan Valley Community College, Fabienne had found a path to fulfilling her dream to help others and to make a difference in their lives before her untimely death.
To celebrate her life, Fabienne’s parents, Frans and Catharina Stassen of Tewksbury, have established an endowed scholarship at the college and an annual award. The gift, more than $30,000, will provide a partial annual scholarship to a second-year nursing student and an award to a graduating student that recognizes excellence in the practice of nursing.
“RVCC is extremely grateful to the Stassens for their generous and thoughtful endowment,” said Richard F. Schaub, interim president of the college. “The Fabienne Stassen Nursing Scholarship Endowment gift is a fitting tribute to a young woman who was a shining example of RVCC’s nursing students.”
Speaking of her former student, Nursing Instructor Kathleen Krov recalled a thoroughly engaging young woman whom they all called Fab. “She was always so positive, so ready to take the lead, we all enjoyed her so much,” Krov said during a meeting with the Stassens.
For the Stassens, the college offered a haven for their daughter, and they take comfort in knowing that her college experience was so rewarding. “She found meaning here, and now we want to do something meaningful, too,” explained Catharina.
The Fabienne Stassen Nursing Scholarship Endowment will assist a second-year nursing student with financial need who has demonstrated the qualities of empathy and dedication to the profession, to individuals and to the community. The Fabienne Stassen Award for Excellence in Nursing, which will be awarded at the college’s nursing pinning ceremony each May, will be presented based on leadership, professionalism and caring behavior.
The family has asked that memorial donations be made to the scholarship endowment. For information on making a gift to the Stassen memorial or establishing an endowment, contact Betty Hutcheon, executive director of the college Foundation, at (908) 526-1200, Ext. 8349, or e-mail ehutcheo@raritanval.edu.