By Ralph Derickson

The scholarship program was initiated in 1989 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the UK Donovan Scholars Program which offers free tuition at UK to persons age 65 or older.

Lexington, Ky. (Dec. 6, 2002) -- Three $2,000 scholarships in gerontology have been awarded by the University of Kentucky Donovan Scholars Program to three Lexington residents who are pursuing degrees in gerontology-related fields.

The scholarship program was initiated in 1989 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the UK Donovan Scholars Program which offers free tuition at UK to persons age 65 or older. The scholarship awards were increased in 1999 through a fund-raising effort that celebrated the 35th anniversary of the program. Thirty-three students from 17 areas of study have received scholarships totaling more than $58,000.

The 2002-03 scholarship recipients are:

-- Alison Nickell, a second-year UK graduate student who is pursuing a master's degree in health sciences, physician assistant studies. Nickell, of Lexington, is a 1997 graduate of the Lexington Christian Academy. She has won many academic awards and has served as a volunteer at local hospitals and nursing homes.

-- Shannon Matthews, a gerontology doctoral candidate, who is originally from Pomona, Calif. She recently earned a UK master's degree in medical anthropology with a focus on hospice care for elderly African Americans. Her research focus is on the dynamics of health communication during the care of older women.

-- Patty Ryan, a doctoral candidate in the College of Nursing, who has already completed course requirements for a graduate certificate in gerontology. She also has advanced certification in oncology nursing and has extensive clinical experience with hospice and home health.