The honor organization known as 40 & 8 presented North Central State College with a new $25,000 scholarship endowment on Monday. The scholarship endowment will go to a nursing student at NCSC who is a veteran or family member of a veteran.
Originally part of the American Legion, the 40 & 8 was named for the box cars of the French Railways. During World War I, American ground troops were transported to the battle front on French trains with boxcars stenciled with 40/8, denoting their capacity to hold either 40 men or eight horses. This was chosen as the symbolic representation of the organization.
“The 40 & 8 have supported nursing training since the 1940’s,” said Patricia James-Hasser, a 40 & 8 member, and U.S. Army veteran. “The scholarship endowment is to show our support for veterans and their family members in search of a degree in nursing.”
The 40 & 8 Voiture 20, represented by James-Hasser and Matt Nichols presented the check to NCSC President Dr. Dorey Diab, in addition to Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement Officer for the North Central State College Foundation Mary Rodriguez and Dean of Nursing at North Central State College Dr. Kelly Gray, R.N.
Gray has a unique relationship to the endowment scholarship. She received the scholarship when she was part of the undergraduate nursing program at Mansfield General Hospital School of Nursing. She is extremely grateful for the financial support given to the students at NCSC. “This is huge for our students,” Gray says. “Some students reach a point in their educational process where they can’t fund another semester, and scholarships like this help get them through.”
North Central State College President Dr. Dorey Diab says the scholarship will be available to help a student in need to continue through the program. He says, “We are incredibly grateful for the investment in our students. Any little bit can help, and this is a lot.”
North Central State College students in the nursing program who are interested in obtaining the scholarship can apply through the general scholarship application.
What is the 40 & 8?
The 40 & 8 is an independent honor organization of male and female U.S. veterans. The organization’s purpose is to promote the well-being of veterans and their families and to actively participate in selected charitable endeavors, which include programs that promote child welfare and nurses’ training.
The 40 & 8 was founded in 1920 by American veterans returning from France. Originally an arm of the American Legion, the 40 & 8 became an independent and separately incorporated veteran’s organization in 1960. Membership is by invitation only and includes honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the United States Armed Forces.
