Donald Merel Cunningham established the D.M. and “Roxanne” Cunningham Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Nursing because of his respect and fondness for nursing while watching the care provided to his ailing mother and father. Cunningham's appreciation for the field of nursing amplified as he was being cared for during his battle with cancer over the last four years. In his desire to help those in need, Cunningham established this scholarship to prepare Northwestern nursing students for their future careers in serving others.
“I’m just passing through.”
That was Cunningham’s motto on life. He had a life with joys and lows, accomplishments and challenges, all which led him to the person he became.
In 1956, Cunningham was born in Athens, Greece, while his father served in the U.S. Air Force. His family moved to Alva in 1961 upon his father’s retirement from the armed services. While growing up, he worked for farmers throughout northwest Oklahoma which instilled in him his work ethic.
Cunningham’s dad was a janitor at Northwestern and his mom worked in the cafeteria. Cunningham completed a couple semesters attending college at Northwestern, but eventually moved to Oklahoma City to begin his lifelong career in the oilfield.
Although Cunningham moved to the big city, he still maintained his “small-town attitude and lifestyle”, according to his friend and former wife, Courtney Cunningham. “He remained an Alva boy his entire life.” His roots ran deep in Alva, often recalling the work ethic and integrity of its people.
As Cunningham’s parents were needing more medical assistance, he watched as many nurses and medical employees in Alva treated his parents with kindness and respect. That is from where the desire to create a nursing scholarship was rooted.
The D.M. and “Roxanne” Cunningham Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Nursing is the largest endowed scholarship established by a single individual in Northwestern’s history. The endowment is currently at $1.5 million with additional future funds expected.
“Don Cunningham will have an incredibly positive and lasting impact on the lives of our nursing students,” said Skeeter Bird, CEO, Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association. “I had the opportunity to meet with Don a few times and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Our lives were different, but our values were similar. Don made decisions in his life that tremendously changed his legacy and personal impact. I am grateful to have known him.”
Who is Roxanne?
Cunningham attributed the man he became to his dog, Roxanne, stating she changed his life and made him a better person. Roxanne’s significant role in Cunningham’s life led to the naming of this nursing scholarship.
Cunningham wanted to make sure his life’s work would make a difference long after he was gone. Cunningham’s philanthropy through volunteering and donations are vast as he believed in paying it forward and helping others. His kindness and love for others will live on through this scholarship in nursing, impacting countless lives in the future. Cunningham passed on Sept. 14, 2024.
Cunningham may have “just passed through”, but his journey put in place a legacy of supporting nursing students in their paths to becoming healthcare professionals.