Artist Barbara Yeomans sitting at her art table.
The Yeomans Legacy Expands
Local artist and longtime Fort Myers resident Barbara J. Yeomans left a lasting mark on Southwest Florida through her creativity, generosity and commitment to education. Following her recent passing at age 92, her family announced the renaming and expansion of their endowed scholarship: L. Sherrill and Barbara J. Yeomans Scholarship Fund at Florida SouthWestern State College.
Established by Barbara more than 40 years ago in memory of her husband, Sherrill, the scholarship has supported students pursuing the arts and will now also provide opportunities for students in nursing and health sciences programs.
Inspired by Barbara’s final wish to honor the compassionate professionals who cared for her, the scholarship reflects the Yeomans family’s enduring legacy of creativity, service and support for future generations of FSW students.
Estate Gift Increases Student Opportunities
Longtime Fort Myers residents Stanley and Edith (Dee) Ink believed that education creates stronger communities. Through a recent $50,000 estate gift from Stanley, the Ink Family Scholarship Fund at Florida SouthWestern State College has been strengthened to support future generations of students.
Established in 2010, the scholarship fund reflects the couple’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for local students. Stanley, an engineer whose firm helped construct the college’s original campus buildings, and Dee, a dedicated educator, understood the power of learning. They gave their first gift to the college in 1983.
Inspired by their shared vision of a thriving Lee County, the permanent scholarship fund continues their legacy.
Opening Doors for Health Information Students
The AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) Foundation is investing in the future of healthcare through a $32,356 gift to FSW to support students pursuing degrees in Health Information Management.
The funding will help reduce financial barriers by covering tuition, textbooks, technology, exam preparation materials, professional memberships and certification exam costs for students in FSW’s program.
By supporting workforce-ready professionals, the AHIMA Foundation’s mission is to help prepare the next generation of health information specialists who play a critical role in improving patient care, healthcare operations and data management.
Shady Rest Invests in Future Nurses
The Shady Rest Foundation is helping FSW nursing students through a recent $30,000 gift to reduce educational debt and support student success.
With cumulative giving of $480,000 over the past five years, Shady Rest has become a transformative partner for FSW’s healthcare programs. Its support provides scholarship funding for RN-to-BSN students, nursing students within 15 credit hours of completion, and other healthcare degree students.
By investing in aspiring nurses and healthcare professionals, the Shady Rest Foundation is strengthening the local healthcare workforce while helping students achieve their degrees.
Shady Rest Foundation members present a check to FSW Foundation.