13-05-2025
NSU honors nursing student with $38K in scholarships
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Northwestern State University awarded Jesci Lord Marchand with its Lauren Vaughn Memorial Scholarship, which is given annually to a student enrolled in NSU's accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
'I am pursuing nursing because I deeply want to help and serve others,' Marchand said. 'While all areas of nursing interest me, I feel particularly inclined to neonatal nursing.'
The scholarship was created to honor Lauren Vaughn, who lost her life in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. This was the second year that the Lauren Vaughn Foundation hosted the LV5K on Easter weekend, which celebrated Vaughn's life and raised $38,000 for the scholarship while bringing awareness to the dangers of drunk driving.
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Marchand is originally from Bastrop but moved to Pineville in 2020 to attend Louisiana Christian University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry.
Marchand said she felt a calling to pursue a healthcare career. She initially planned to apply to medical school before learning about NSU's accelerated nursing program. The program allows students with a bachelor's degree to complete the necessary nursing courses for the BSN in 16 months.
'Through communication with [Assistant Professor] Kathy Vaughn, I learned about the accelerated BSN program and how to apply for it, so I jumped at the chance,' Marchand said. 'I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to obtain my BSN in one year.'
Marchand will pursue her nursing degree at NSU's Cenla campus in Alexandria's England Industrial Airpark.
'Because my husband and I live in Ball, Louisiana, I am exceedingly thankful for the convenience of Northwestern State University's Alexandria Campus,' Marchand said. 'I am thankful for every opportunity provided by NSU's nursing program, and I am especially grateful for the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Scholarship. I am thrilled to begin the accelerated BSN program in May.'
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Vaughn graduated from Alexandria Senior High School in 2018 and became interested in medicine on a field trip to LSU Medical Center. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology at Louisiana Tech. Vaughn was enrolled in NSU's accelerated BSN program and scheduled to graduate in August 2023. On March 31, 2023, Vaughn was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses. She passed away just a few days later on April 7.
For information about the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Foundation, visit or the group's Facebook page. Donations to the Lauren Vaughn Scholarship can be made at
To learn more about degree programs at NSU's College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, go to
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