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COCC Nursing Scholarship

Posted: Wed, Dec 24, 2025
More than 35 years ago, Irene Bostelman, along with her friends OJ and Dora Belle Tornbom, decided to make a gift to the FPC Foundation with the purpose of supporting tuition for nursing students at COCC. Nursing care is one of the ways we demonstrate the love of God to those who are suffering, and [...]

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Two photographic portraits. The left image shows a woman with white curly hair and wearing a black top, labeled Irene Bostelman. The right image features an elderly man wearing glasses and a blue suit, alongside an elderly woman with curly hair and glasses, both labeled O.J. & Dora Belle Tornbom.
Portraits of Irene Bostelman and the couple O.J. & Dora Belle Tornbom.

More than 35 years ago, Irene Bostelman, along with her friends OJ and Dora Belle Tornbom, decided to make a gift to the FPC Foundation with the purpose of supporting tuition for nursing students at COCC. Nursing care is one of the ways we demonstrate the love of God to those who are suffering, and at the time, Central Oregon was in need of more qualified nurses. Today, their gift continues to support a full tuition scholarship every year for a nursing student who lacks the resources to pay tuition costs. Last year, that cost was $5,000. 

A few months ago, the recipient of this year’s grant wrote a thank you note to the foundation. He shared his appreciation for the funds, without which he could not have attended COCC. He reported that a number of students have dropped out due to the challenging curriculum, but he has studied hard and maintained A’s and B’s. He also shared that he was baptised last year. “Your scholarship amongst multiple other things helped drive me in the right direction in finding God. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the help you and the other members of the church have given me… I still have a long journey ahead of me, but the journey is the best part so I’m looking forward to it.”