To the editor:

Congratulations Dr. Fred Mathews on your recent distinguished award from the Board of Directors of MCCA.

You definitely deserve this award. I want to personally thank you for your dedication to our community through the work you have done at SMC.

If it was not for you, I may not have attended college following a car accident in 1971.

Because you laid the ground work for higher education in our community, I was able to attend college and graduate from the nursing program in 1973.

While still recovering from injuries at my parent’s home on Lou­ise Avenue, I attended classes.

After getting my nursing license I had the great honor of working for University of Michigan’s Mott’s Children’s hospital, for Bronson Hospital and a couple years at Lee Memorial.

I was able to give back to our community but also gained so much more through my 35-year nursing career.

Thank you for what you’ve given to all of us.

Marjorie Evans-Finn

Dowagiac