Rochester Hills Graduate Receives Scholarship to Attend Oakland University

Huntington Ford Scholarship Jumpstarts Avondale Graduate’s Nursing Career Aspirations 

For the sixth year, Huntington Ford of Rochester Hills has awarded a full-tuition, renewable scholarship to an Oakland University-bound student who has demonstrated financial need, outstanding academic performance and devotion to extracurricular activities.

This year’s recipient is Bridgette Morris, a 2017 graduate of Avondale High School. She intends to study nursing at Oakland University, and plans to pursue a career as an advanced practice rehabilitation nurse.

“In this specialty, I could provide direct care that promotes health, and prevents disease and disability, manage acute and chronic illness and promote patient adaptation to lifestyle changes,” said Morris, a Rochester Hills resident.

“I could also implement cost-effective technologies for patients with disability and/or chronic illness and evaluate outcomes for the complex patient in relation to lifelong function and health management. With so many avenues of specialties in the nursing field, it is difficult to predict which path I will follow, but I definitely know I desire a nursing career.”

Morris, who was adopted with her twin sister at birth, developed an interest in the healthcare field while attending Avondale Middle School.

“I chose physical education as one of my classes, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “My physical education teacher, Mrs. (Lori) Phelps, inspired me so much that by age 15, I decided to make major lifestyle changes by eliminating bad food choices and incorporating physical changes into my daily routine. The results were dramatic in my overall physical health.”

In high school, Morris excelled academically and devoted herself to several extracurricular activities, including a summer camp for at-risk 8th graders. She was also elected as an executive board member of the Student Leadership class during the 2016-2017 school year.

“Bridgette is a motivator for other students by the example she sets,” said Christina Mancini, a teacher at Avondale High School who mentored Morris. “She carries herself with pride, shows a strong desire to graduate, lead, meet deadlines, and is an overachiever.”

Mancini also commended Morris for her communication skills and her desire to help others.

“In class, she can be seen working with other students who struggle and pushing them to work harder,” she said. “This is a mature trait which will help Bridgette succeed in the future wherever she goes.”

The Huntington Ford Scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming freshman from one of four area high schools: Avondale, Adams, Rochester and Stoney Creek. Each year, dealership owners Pat and Christie Scoggin take time to meet the recipient and offer words of encouragement.

“We always tell them, ‘Go out and do good things.’ Take this opportunity and find a way to pay it forward by helping others,” said Pat Scoggin. “We’ve been so proud to support each of the scholarship recipients, and this year is no different. We trust that Bridgette is going to do great things at Oakland University and in her future career in the nursing profession.”

The full-tuition scholarship is renewable for an additional three years for a student who continues to demonstrate financial need, completes full-time credits during each fall and winter semester, and maintains a minimum 3.00 GPA.

Morris is the sixth recipient of the Huntington Ford Scholarship. Past recipients are Rachel Swink, a 2016 graduate of Avondale High School; the late Chandler Swink, also an Avondale graduate; Alexis Jordan from Stoney Creek High School; and Laura Dhayni and Jacqueline Yee, both from Rochester High School.

For more information about other Oakland University scholarships, visit oakland.edu/scholarships.