The American Association of University Women, Medford-area branch, will award a $1,000 college scholarship to Carol Dolan, 49, of Mount Laurel.
The mother of six children, Carol plans to pursue a nursing career at Burlington County College. When she graduates from the two-year program next year, her second child Erin will complete her B.S. in nursing, and her fourth child, Sarah, will receive her high school diploma.
“We will have a big party,” she said, noting that she and her husband, Kevin, had toddlers at home for 19 years.
The Dolans’ youngest child entered kindergarten a few years ago.
“I took a deep breath and realized that now was my time,” Dolan said.
The AAUW scholarship is awarded annually to a non-traditional female student who may have had to interrupt her college studies for family reasons or a woman who put off her college education to care for children or other family members.
The scholarship will be awarded at the AAUW annual dinner in May.
Now in her second semester at BCC, Carol plans to work towards a four-year degree in nursing.
Carol has been a trumpet player since she was 10-years-old and currently plays in an ensemble at the Fellowship Baptist Church.
“I see being older as an advantage. Life experience is the ultimate teacher.” she says.
