During the past year, donors' generosity established five scholarships to impact the future of health care professionals in our college. Two scholarships are in memory of EACPHS students whose lives were cut short. Three scholarships are named after a former Occupational Therapy (OT) chair.

In May 2005, Lara M. Rutan earned a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies (PAS). President of her class, she is remembered as a people person who exhibited a positive attitude and an infectious joy and love for life. Lara was an advisor in her educational and employment experiences. She was employed as a Physician Assistant at Eastside Cardiovascular Medicine in Roseville, MI. Two days after taking the State Boards and one month after her engagement to be married, Lara's life was taken tragically by a drunk driver in September 2005.

Her parents, Judy and Richard Rutan, and their family established the Lara M. Rutan, MS, PA-C Endowed Scholarship Fund to assist PAS students. The scholarship has two components: The first is an endowed scholarship fund to recognize scholastic achievement and provide financial assistance. The second component is a non-interest bearing "emergency loan fund" to help PAS students with unplanned or unforeseen emergency expenses, such as over-due rent, auto repairs, day care expenses, etc.