October 24, 2026

Aldridge Family Awards $36,000 in Scholarships to 12 LCC Nursing Students

Twelve nursing students at Labette Community College (LCC) are receiving a significant boost toward their educational goals this year thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the family of James and the late Dixie Aldridge. Each student has been awarded a $3,000 James and Dixie Aldridge Family Scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year, totaling $36,000 in scholarship support.

The awards are among the largest individual scholarships ever provided by the LCC Foundation through the generosity of a single donor, reflecting the Aldridge family's remarkable commitment to supporting future nurses.

The family's decision to create an endowed scholarship was inspired, in part, by the compassionate care Dixie received from nurses and nursing students during the final stages of her life. The kindness and dedication witnessed, made a lasting impression on Dixie’s family and motivated them to help educate the next generation of nurses at LCC.

"These scholarships represent an extraordinary investment in our students and in the future of healthcare in our community," said Jason Sharp, President of LCC. "An award of $3,000 can make a tremendous difference for a nursing student, helping relieve financial pressures so they can focus on the demands of their education. We are deeply grateful to James Aldridge and his family for turning their appreciation for compassionate nursing care into an opportunity that will benefit students and patients for generations to come."

The 2026–2027 James and Dixie Aldridge Family Scholarship recipients are: Kaitlyn Battaglear, Isabel Clevenger, Madelynn Darnaby, Kierstyn Houk, Landon Hurt, Jaylee Kramer, Kelli Littlepage, Kaci McClenning, Adeline McManus, Shelly Phillips, Dusti Ryan and AarynMarie Wilson.

The scholarship recipients bring diverse experiences and personal motivations to the nursing profession, but share a common desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

For Landon Hurt, the desire to become a nurse began while caring for his sister and grew through his work alongside nurses at Mercy hospital. "Knowing that this scholarship was established in memory of Dixie Aldridge makes the generosity even more meaningful, and I am honored to carry that legacy forward by caring for others with the same compassion and dedication that inspired this family's gift," Hurt said.

Kierstyn Houk's inspiration comes from witnessing the impact of healthcare professionals during her mother's battle with breast cancer, her younger brother's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and her own experiences undergoing multiple knee surgeries. Those experiences inspired her to pursue a career helping others through difficult times.

Kaitlyn Battaglear has already spent a decade working in healthcare, including five years as a certified nursing assistant in long-term care and five years as a patient care technician in an emergency room. She hopes to become an emergency room nurse, bringing compassion and patience to patients when they need it most.

For Jaylee Kramer, the scholarship supports an impressive early start in nursing education. Kramer earned both her Erie High School diploma and an associate's degree in Health Science from LCC last May, after completing dual-credit and online college courses while still in high school. She was accepted into LCC's nursing program at just 17 years old.

Other recipients expressed how the scholarship will ease the financial demands of nursing school while inspiring them to give back. Dusti Ryan reflected on the special meaning behind the family's gift. "It is inspiring that the care nursing students showed Mrs. Aldridge led her family to create something that will help so many future nurses," Ryan said. "The investment in nursing students is also an investment in our community."

The students' responses demonstrate the far-reaching impact of the family's generosity. "What's especially meaningful is that these students understand the legacy behind this scholarship," said Lindi Forbes, Executive Director of the LCC Foundation. "They aren't simply receiving financial assistance. They're being inspired by the Aldridge family's example of kindness and generosity, and they're committed to carrying that same spirit of compassion into their own nursing careers."

In addition to the $36,000 awarded to nursing students this year, the Aldridge family designated $14,000 to establish a permanent scholarship endowment, ensuring their generosity will continue benefiting future generations of LCC students. Through the LCC Foundation's Hughes Matching Fund, their endowment received an additional $7,000 boost, bringing its principal value to $21,000.

The matching fund provides a 50% match for qualifying gifts to new endowed scholarships, but available funds are becoming increasingly limited. "The Hughes Matching Fund has been an incredible incentive for donors who want to make a lasting difference," said Forbes. "We encourage anyone considering establishing an endowed scholarship to contact us soon so they don't miss this opportunity to increase the impact of their gift."

For more information about LCC Foundation scholarships or opportunities to establish a scholarship, visit www.labette.edu/foundation or contact Forbes at lindif@labette.edu or 620-820-1212.