Susan Evans Austin Memorial Scholarship Established at HCCF

The Corydon Democrat

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

     The Susan Evans Austin Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established at the Harrison County Community Foundation to provide scholarship support to graduating seniors of Corydon Central High School who are pursuing a certificate or degree in a nursing program.

      Susan Evans Austin was a sixth generation Harrison Countian, born in 1936 to William F. and Laura Decker Buchanan. She graduated from Corydon High School in 1954 then went to General Hospital in Louisville and earned her RN degree. “If ever a person loved their profession, it was Susan Buchanan Evans Austin,” said Susan’s sister, Betty Magner.

      Susan married Dennis G. Evans in 1956, and they had two children, Michael G. of Orlando, Fla., and Barbara Ann Evans of Corydon. Both of Susan’s children are graduates of Corydon Central High School. Barbara’s daughter, Hailee Stewart, will be a 2008 graduate, and Hailee’s brother, Tim King, attended CCHS and is now in the Army.

      Susan was active in Tri Kappa, Tri Kappa Associates and Old Capitol United Methodist Church in Corydon. She served 17 years as the school nurse at Corydon Elementary School and was known throughout the school district as “Nurse Evans” or “Nurse Susie.” After her husband’s death in 1992, she worked as a school nurse in the North Harrison Community School Corp.

      In October 1994, Susan married Donald Austin and retired from her profession. In early 1996, she was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer and died in February 1997.

     “There were hundreds and perhaps thousands of students and parents that were helped by her caring attitude and her nursing knowledge,” said her sister. In January 1997, she was told this nursing scholarship was being established in her name to help young people to pursue the profession of nursing. “The glow on her face and her excitement that she would be helping students forever was so wonderful to be a part of,” said Magner.

      The Harrison County Community Foundation provided a matching gift to create this fund, and any additional donation is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $25,000 per household per year. Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the Susan Evans Austin Memorial Scholarship Fund may contact the HCCF staff at 738-6668 or mail donations to the Foundation, P.O. Box 279, Corydon, IN 47112. Checks should be made out to Harrison County Community Foundation with the name of the fund in the memo line.