nne Mulligan and Jim Sund love awarding scholarships and meeting students whose lives are transformed by community support.
As first-generation college graduates, who paid their own way through school, they understand the sacrifices students make to transform their lives through education.
So, when it was time to create their estate plan, they knew they wanted to endow a scholarship for students going into the fields they’re most passionate about: nursing, other medical degrees and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
“I can’t think of a better place to give the money than to the Olympic College Foundation,” said Sund, a retired businessman and member of the Foundation board. “You can see clear results from these donations.”
“We hope students who need (the scholarship) will take it and use it and then, in turn, give back to the community.”
Agreed Mulligan, an OC nursing professor: “Our community really needs skilled employees and professionals. Our community really needs more nurses. And the best way to get them is to grow our own here.”
Mulligan came to OC from the Navy in 2000 to develop the practical nursing program and delights when she sees former students at work throughout the community. “We get a lot of people from all different fields who are good with people and have always wanted to get into health care,” she said. “It gives them the opportunity.”
Sund is a retired Navy veteran who had a long career in business before buying North Kitsap Auto Rebuild in Poulsbo and running it for 20 years. He first got involved with the OC Foundation as a business sponsor of the Annual Community Luncheon, then joined the board and served as president.
He regularly reviews scholarship applications, learning about students’ financial hardships firsthand. “I really enjoy giving out scholarships. I’ve had people recognize me out in the community and come up to me and say, ‘A scholarship made such a difference in my career.’”
The couple hopes their legacy gift creates a cycle of generosity. “We hope students who need (the scholarship) will take it and use it and then, in turn, give back to the community,” said Mulligan.
