Press release from SWTC
UVALDE, TEXAS
(09-10-2024) Southwest Texas College (SWTX) recently celebrated the legacy of Jesse T. Moreno, Jr. by awarding the Jesse T. Moreno, Jr. Memorial Scholarship to five deserving first-year students in the college’s registered nursing program. This scholarship, presented on August 16 in Uvalde, is a financial aid and a significant tribute to Moreno’s dedication to nursing and education.
This year’s recipients of the $500 scholarship include Heidy Cordova of Eagle Pass, Elda Ibarra of Del Rio, Cristina Garza of Asherton, Gisselle Martinez, and Iliena Lara of Uvalde. It provides vital financial assistance to these students as they embark on their journey in the SWTX nursing program, making a significant difference in their lives.
Jesse T. Moreno, Jr., born on October 23, 1957, was a proud Uvalde native. He graduated from Uvalde High School in 1976 and continued his education at Southwest Texas College, previously known as SWTJC, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1978. Moreno’s passion for nursing led him to the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing in San Antonio, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1981.
Moreno’s nursing career began at Bexar County Hospital, now known as University Hospital, in San Antonio. His career later took him to New York, where he married Loretta Donnelly and welcomed their first son, Christopher Jesus Moreno. In 1991, Jesse returned to Texas, settling in Kerrville and joining the Kerrville VA Hospital. During this time, he and Loretta celebrated the birth of their second son, Eric Elisandro Moreno.
A man of many passions, Jesse loved running, fishing, camping, and hunting, especially when accompanied by family and friends. However, his greatest joy came from his two sons, who were the light of his life.
Moreno’s life and career were marked by a deep commitment to his patients and the nursing profession. His dedication was unwavering, and he continued working as a Registered Nurse at the Kerrville VA Hospital for 22 years until his untimely death at 56. After a courageous 16-year battle with multiple myeloma, Jesse passed away peacefully at his home on January 27, 2014.
SWTX President Hector Gonzales, Vice President of Student Services Cruz Mata, Moreno’s sister Nora and husband Raul Gonzalez, and Moreno’s father Jesse Moreno were also at the ceremony.
The Jesse T. Moreno, Jr. Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a first-year registered nursing student at SWTX. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their prerequisite courses and submit a 200-word essay detailing their background, motivations for pursuing a nursing career, and challenges.
SWTX’s registered nursing program is designed to prepare graduates to practice in a dynamic and evolving healthcare environment. The program’s rigorous curriculum and dedicated faculty ensure that students are well-equipped to meet the demands of the nursing profession.
Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Sandra Flores at sflores2@swtjc.edu or (830) 591-7271 for more information about the Jesse T. Moreno, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
About Southwest Texas College
Southwest Texas College is a regional, “open door” institution serving an 11-county area that stretches from the Texas Hill Country to the US-Mexican border. Since 1946 SWTX has provided accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region. The company’s mission is to enrich lives and advance growth through the education of our diverse communities.
To learn more about SWTX, visit swtjc.edu. For more information on this story, contact Ismael Martinez, SWTX Social Media/Public Relations Specialist at 830-591-2942 or imartinez@swtjc.edu.
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