Hopper family gift creates ESU nursing scholarship

Students at the Emporia State University Newman Division of Nursing are getting a helping hand from the “Dr. Charles and Nadine Hopper Scholarship.”

The fund was established with a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Phil Hopper of San Carlos, Calif. with matching funds from the Guidant Corporation, a world leader in cardiovascular devices.

To date, two students have received the award: Katie Jo Neill of Emporia and Cindy VanScoyoc of Longford.

“Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to complete my education,” said VanScoyoc, a senior nursing major. VanScoyoc has already been hired to work at the Geary Community Hospital in Junction City after her May graduation.

“I’m thankful for people who would provide that chance for students to complete their education and reach their goals in life,” she said.

The scholarship honors Charles and Nadine Brown Hopper, who met while attending the Newman Hospital School of Nursing. Both worked as nurses in Hartford, Conn., but came back to Kansas so that Dr. Hopper could complete his degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Hopper returned to Emporia and was a well-known primary care physician until his retirement in 1984.

Between Dr. and Mrs. Hopper and two of their five children, there has been a family member affiliated with local health care almost continuously since 1935. Phil Hopper was a surgical technician from 1969 to 1975. After graduating from ESU, he developed and marketed medical devices with several national medical firms. He is a named inventor on 15 medical and surgical device patents.

First hired in 1973, his sister Nancy Hopper LeClear is now the director of marketing and education at Newman Regional Health.

Four of the five Hopper children attended ESU. In addition to Phil and Nancy, Charles Hopper Jr. and Karen Hopper Carns are also ESU graduates. Nadine Hopper’s great-grandmother was one of three sisters in the first graduation class of Kansas State Normal School.

Both Dr. and Mrs. Hopper have been long-time supporters of the Newman Nursing Alumni Association and have been active in a variety of community service organizations and their church.

“This was a great opportunity to recognize the contributions and dedication of my parents to excellence in health care delivery, to Newman Regional Heath, and to the community,” said Phil Hopper.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>