The board of advisors of the New Hanover County Community Foundation announce the creation of two new scholarships that will support students in the fields of education and nursing.

Trustees for the estate of Joseph Bergin and Elsa Flower Davies, who retired to Wilmington in 1980, established the two scholarship endowments with the North Carolina Community Foundation late last year.  Members of the New Hanover County Community Foundation board will serve on the scholarship committees and make award recommendations.

“It is an honor and a privilege for the New Hanover County Community Foundation to administer these two scholarship awards,” said Stephen Gaskins, board president.

“Joseph and Elsa Davies valued education and were major benefactors of The Davis Community in Porters Neck, where the Joseph B. and Elsa Flower Davies Wellness Center is named in their honor.

“These scholarships will support students who wish to pursue their degrees in New Hanover County, so the Davies’ philanthropy will continue to benefit our local community.”

Scholarships are available for students wishing to pursue a degree or training in the field of nursing or teaching at an institution of higher learning in New Hanover County, North Carolina.  Application forms are available on the North Carolina Community Foundation’s website, www.nccommunityfoundation.org.  Complete application packets must be postmarked by Friday, April 25.  The review committee will not consider incomplete applications.

The New Hanover County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation.  In 2013, the New Hanover affiliate and local fund holders made more than $1.2 million in grants to charitable organizations.

In addition to Board President Stephen Gaskins, New Hanover County Community Foundation board members are: Ned Barclay, Patrick Boykin, Ron Copley, Eldridge Dodson, Noel Fox, Frank Gibson, Rickey Godwin, Betty McComas, Patrick Moore, Kristi Sullivan and George Taylor.

For further information, contact Patricia Lawler, NC Community Foundation Southeast Region Associate, at plawler@nccommunityfoundation.org or 910-509-7256.