Son establishes scholarship in memory of parents

Brent Erickson, the son of the late Artie and Swede Erickson, has established a generous scholarship to benefit nursing students.

The Artie and Swede Erickson Nursing Scholarship will provide one recipient $2,675 each semester to cover the cost of in-state tuition and $500 for books. “This scholarship is a way to honor the memory of my parents and to support students in the Casper area who are seeking a career in health care and nursing,” said Erickson. “Both of my parents benefited from professional and compassionate nursing care in their later years, and I realized nurses are the hands-on, bedrock foundation and a critical part of the health care field,” Erickson added.

To qualify, students must have a 2.0 GPA, be a Wyoming resident who has graduated from a Casper high school and be a Casper College nursing major. Need will be a considering factor. The recipient may receive the award for a second year if they continue to meet the criteria.

“My parents loved Casper, and students who graduate in nursing from Casper College tend to stay in Casper and continue to contribute to the local quality of life after they graduate. This scholarship will benefit both students and the community at large,” said Erickson. “Casper College has a well-known and excellent nursing program. This scholarship is a way to help ensure motivated students can pursue a nursing career and first-rate nursing education by helping cover tuition and books,” noted Erickson.

Erickson’s father, Swede, coached the Casper College Men’s Basketball team from 1958-1986 and was the executive director of the Casper College Foundation from 1986-1992.

Erickson graduated from Casper College in 1972 with an Associate of Science in biology. In 2019, he received the Casper College Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Casper College students can apply for scholarships at caspercollege.edu/scholarship.