Honoring a Caring life: The Linda Turben Memorial Scholarship

Bowling Green, KY – In a heartfelt ceremony on April 21, 2025, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) nursing student Nikki Belcher was awarded the inaugural Linda Turben Memorial Scholarship. The event, held in the presence of the Turben family and SKYCTC faculty, celebrated the enduring legacy of Linda Turben—a devoted nurse, mother, and inspiration to many.

The scholarship was established by the family of Ms. Turben to honor her life, her compassionate service as a nurse, and her unwavering dedication to helping others. Both Linda Turben and her daughter, Michelle Wooten, were proud graduates of the Glasgow School of Nursing, now a part of SKYCTC.

“I chose to pursue a scholarship at SKYCTC because it represents more than just an opportunity for education—it’s a continuation of a legacy,” shared Michelle Wooten. “My mother spent much of her life working in sewing factories, bookkeeping, and industrial plants, all while holding onto her quiet dream of becoming a nurse. It wasn’t until after the age of forty that she finally followed that dream, showing me that it’s never too late to pursue your passion.”

Michelle added, “Her determination and resilience inspired me to follow in her footsteps. SKYCTC offers the practical, hands-on training and supportive environment I needed to grow, and it feels like the perfect place to honor her journey while beginning my own.”

For scholarship recipient Nikki Belcher, the award carries deep personal meaning.

“Receiving this scholarship in memory of Linda Turben makes it even more meaningful, as it carries the legacy and spirit of a person who touched lives through nursing and a deep commitment to helping others,” said Belcher. “It’s an honor to be chosen as a recipient and to carry forward her memory through my education and future work as a nurse.”

Belcher continued, “This support reminds me that nursing is not just about science and skill, but also about heart, humanity, and the lasting impact one life can have on many. I am inspired to live up to that legacy by providing care that is compassionate, respectful, and full of purpose.”

Heather Rogers, Executive Director of the SKYCTC Foundation, expressed the college’s gratitude: “We are sincerely thankful to Michelle Wooten and her family and friends for their generous gift in establishing the Linda Turben Nursing Scholarship. This one-time award is a heartfelt tribute to her mother’s legacy of care and compassion, and it will provide meaningful support to a nursing student who embodies those same values. We are honored to help carry her memory forward in such a meaningful way.”