The Kyle O'Connell memorial scholarship was created in honor of Kyle O'Connell, the son of Michael '87 and Julie '88 (Belfiore) O'Connell. On February 6, 2005, Kyle passed away just shy of his 10th birthday. Kyle's brave fight against brain cancer inspired a group of USD alumni to establish this scholarship in 2008 with the purpose to inspire students to find a cure for cancer, to provide comfort and hope for patients and their families, and to advocate and motivate others to become active in the fight against cancer. It will benefit graduate and/or undergraduate junior or senior students enrolled in the sciences or healing arts including nursing, marriage and family therapy.
CURRENT USD STUDENTS:
Online application for the Kyle O'Connell Memorial Scholarship will open on November 27, 2023 Click here to apply.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be a rising Junior or Senior undergraduate student OR a graduate student in good standing (not eligible for graduating students).
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Enroll in the study of the healing arts including nursing, marriage & family therapy or the sciences.
• Demonstrate a passion for their chosen area of study and how their education will facilitate 1) discover and/or improve treatments or find a cure for cancer, 2) provide comfort and hope for patients and families struggling with cancer, 3) be an advocate and motivate others to be active in the fight against cancer.
ESSAY PROMPT:
Describe in 750 words or less why you chose your academic major, and how you will use your education to do one or a combination of the following:
• Discover/improve treatments and/or find a cure for cancer;
• Provide comfort and hope for patients and their families struggling with cancer.
• Be an advocate and motivate others to become active in the fight against cancer.
Continue the fight against cancer by supporting USD students through the Kyle O'Connell Memorial Scholarship.
Meet the USD Alumni Association Kyle O'Connell Scholars for 2023-2024:
Julianna Applestein '24
Julianna is about to enter her second year as a graduate student in University of San Diego’s Master’s Entry Program in Nursing. She will graduate as a master’s prepared Registered Nurse in May of 2024. After graduation, she hopes to work as a Pediatric Oncology/Hematology nurse. Her ultimate goal is to go back to school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She is currently a member of the Graduate Nursing Student Association and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
In her own words, "I am incredibly thankful to have been selected as a recipient of the Kyle O’Connell Memorial Scholarship. I would like to thank the O’Connell Family and the USD Alumni Association for their generous financial support as I pursue my education and career in nursing. I empathize with the O’Connell Family and will continue to keep Kyle in my thoughts as I work alongside pediatric cancer patients. To Michael and Julie O’Connell, I am so sorry for your loss and I admire your family's resiliency. I hope to be able to provide support and holistic nursing care to cancer patients and their families to ensure their wellbeing and increase their quality of life."
Bridget Murphy '25
Bridget is a third-year student majoring in Biology and Spanish and minoring in Chemistry on a pre-medicine track. She rowed for the Toreros during her freshman year and she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina her sophomore year. She serves as vice president of Pilates Club, secretary of Surfrider Foundation USD Club, a Torero Tutor at the athletic center, and an out-of-state ambassador. She is a research assistant at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School in the infectious disease lab where her work was published in a high impact paper and she was the author of a presentation at the 2022 Retrovirus Pathogenesis Conference in Vail, CO. She participates in beach cleanups with Surfrider Foundation to fulfill her drive for sustainability. An extended shadowing assignment with a radiation oncologist solidified her intention to pursue a career in the field of medicine, continuing her passion for research and clinical practices.
In her own words, "I am incredibly honored to be selected for this scholarship and am grateful for the generosity of alumni and donors who support the prestigious liberal arts education provided by USD. This scholarship will contribute to my continued participation in an academically- and service-driven community that inspires me to succeed, as well as to my pursuit of my postgraduate goals. Thank you for placing your faith in my future, and I hope to pay forward the favor to future USD students!"
Vita Olson '24
Vita is currently in her senior year at USD studying Biology with minors in Spanish and Finance. Beyond the classroom she participates in a research lab at USD, which uses molecular genetics techniques to expand biological knowledge, while also serving as the USD Honors Student Board Vice President. She especially loves volunteering with students in the broader San Diego community, working to increase access to science, technology, engineering, and math for young students with USD STEM outreach. Once she graduates, she intends to work in medical research, advancing treatment outcomes for patients, before pursuing a practice in healthcare as a physician where she hopes to be compassionate advocate while also working to expand knowledge of cancer and other diseases.
In her own words, "I am deeply grateful to be completing my education at USD as a Kyle O’Connell scholar. I give a heartfelt thank you to the members of the USD community and Kyle’s family for their remarkable support of students. I am humbled to experience Kyle’s incredible legacy, an honor which will remain in my heart throughout my academic and professional journey. Inspired by the strength of cancer patients, their families, and communities, I look forward to advancing my education in the medical sciences to one day be able to advance the fight against cancer."
Kyle O'Connell Scholarship Recipients for 2022-2023:
Sofia Pantis '23
Jeanette Shepherd '22
Alexa Sikalis '23
Kyle O'Connell Scholarship Recipients for 2020-2021:
Mary Nagel
Benjamin Ledwon
Kyle O'Connell Scholarship Recipients for 2019-2020:
Erica Persichetti
Jessica Liyanage
Kyle O'Connell Scholarship Recipients for 2018-2019:
Fran Buranday '19
Lauren Hampson '19 MSN
Kyle O'Connell Scholarship Recipients for 2016-2017:
Courtney Suhr
Danielle Kant
James Ricketts