Reedburg nursing student gets boost from Celebrate a Nurse 5K/walk scholarship

Callie Blackley, a nursing student at Madison College's Reedsburg campus, was awarded the $2,000 Celebrate a Nurse Scholarship.

The annual Celebrate a Nurse 5K Run/Walk raises money through the generous support of sponsors and participants to support the scholarship.

Callie became a certified nursing assistant at 16 and chose a nursing career to make an impact. 

"I discovered how deep my love for working with people goes while getting to experience all the different ways I can help them while continuously learning, creating connections, and developing lifelong skills that'll help me navigate all kinds of situations," Callie says.

As a first-generation college student without family financial support, the scholarship significantly impacts Callie's education. 

" I had to create my own opportunities with the only thing that came free: hard work and knowledge," Callie says.  “Luckily, my efforts didn't go unrecognized - many kind individuals and programs have helped me get this far, but affording the basic daily necessities of living while going to school full-time is becoming next to impossible, and I'd love nothing more than to go further with my career.”

After graduating, Callie plans to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in the coming years, with the ultimate goal of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. "This scholarship would help me tremendously in taking the next step toward my goals," Callie says.

The annual Celebrate a Nurse 5K Run/Walk highlights the importance of nursing and helps support students pursuing this vital profession," says Linda Spencer, Madison College-Reedsburg Campus Manager.

Community members can participate and support future nursing scholarships at the 2025 Celebrate a Nurse 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the Madison College Reedsburg campus.

Madison College-Reedsburg is a premier healthcare-focused campus offering certified nursing assistant and associate degree nursing – RN and EMT programs. Students can apply for admission to the nursing program in the fall and spring semesters. 

Learn more about life-changing learning opportunities at Madison College-Reedsburg.