Over the summer, Marietta Community Foundation had the privilege of welcoming an intern, Jasmine Riggs, from the Civic Leaders Fellowship Program to our staff. With the help of our Communications & Program Services Director, Mason Beuhring, Riggs was able to advance her writing skills and created a series of articles where we revisit past scholarship winners and ask, ‘Where Are They Now?’

 Marietta, OH– One selfless act of kindness can have an incredible impact on a person. It can change the course of their day, their week, or even their entire life. Such was the case for Nick Spurr, winner of Marietta Community Foundation’s 2014 Faustena “Frosty” Haas Healthcare Scholarship when he witnessed a nurse provide incredible care and attention to a loved one in need.

Nick Spurr and his family are no strangers to the emotional stress that often surrounds a hospital setting. Roughly ten years ago, the Spurr family was confronted with the uncertainty that accompanies a long-term stay in the NICU after the premature birth of Spurr’s baby sister.

The month that the family stayed in Columbus with the baby was understandably difficult, and for Nick, in particular, it was a very unsteady time. But, what made the situation bearable for the family was the undeniable kindness displayed by the nurse that took care of both Spurr’s baby sister and his entire family. 

“The nurse that took care of my sister was amazing,” said Spurr.​ “It wasn’t just in the care she provided to my sister, it was how she interacted with the rest of my family too. They felt ‘safe’ with her, they rested when she was on shift.​ She was very comforting.” 

It was this above-and-beyond care that cemented itself within Spurr’s mind and ultimately influenced his career path.

With the goal of providing outstanding care motivating his decisions, Spurr graduated from Marietta High School before attending the University of Rio Grande as a member of their Holzer School of Nursing for his undergraduate.

After completing his freshman year at the University of Rio Grande, Spurr decided to apply for Marietta Community Foundation’s Faustena “Frosty” Haas Health Care Scholarship, and, to his surprise, was awarded the competitive scholarship. 

For Spurr, winning this scholarship would offer him a way to experience life outside of the Mid-Ohio Valley, to travel for college. It would open doors and provide opportunities that may have never been available to him otherwise. To Nick Spurr, the Frosty Haas award was an incredibly important piece of his college journey.

“If I wouldn’t have gotten the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to go away for school... and it’s because of people like the Haas family. I can’t thank them enough for their generosity.”

Since graduating from the University of Rio Grande-Holzer School of Nursing, Spurr has worked as a nurse in a multitude of different roles. From working in a post-intensive care unit, to working in a cardiac catheterization lab, Spurr has done whatever he can to “garner as much experience” as possible.

Currently, Spurr is continuing the legacy of kindness inspired by that nurse through his work as a traveling RN at Charleston Area Medical Center, a position that he hopes will enable him to continue encouraging future healthcare workers through displays of exceptional care. 

“Her compassion, empathy, skills, and persistence are a few of the reasons my sister is here today, and some of the skills and traits I try to incorporate in my practice as a clinician,” said Spurr. “She may never know the impact she had on my life or my career, but maybe someday I can have that type of impact on somebody else’s life too!”

The Marietta Community Foundation meets National Standards for operational quality, donor service, and accountability in the community foundation sector. Founded in 1974, the Marietta Community Foundation has grown over the years thanks to a number of generous gifts.

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives, if you want to change the life of a local student, please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.

By: Jasmine Riggs