By- SHEILA S. DAVIS Features Editor

KURE BEACH, NC -- Last Tuesday, June 13, 2000, Doris Eakes, on her birthday, presented a check to the Cape Fear Community College establishing a scholarship for the Cape Fear Community College Nursing School. She presented the check to the President, Eric McKeithan, of the College. Prior to receiving the check, Dr. McKeithan spoke about Ms. Eakes' desire to become a nurse when she was young.

Dr. McKeithan said, "Doris enrolled in the James Walker Hospital in 1956. However, it was a short session for her because Doris didn't know that nurses in the program could not get married during their training period. She married her husband, Joe D. Eakes, during that period and was dismissed from the program."

As Dr. McKeithan spoke of Doris and Joe's lifetime, he said, "What Doris and Joe have worked a lifetime for will help dozens with this gift."

As Dr. McKeithan continued, Ms. Eakes, surrounded by family and friends, silently tears ran down her cheeks as she was wishing her husband, Joe, could be there with her. However, their loving and caring daughter, Carmen, was standing beside her mother. Carmen supported her mother in her contributions she will be giving The Cape Fear Community College nursing School and other universities around the U. S.

Dr. McKeithan recognized each of the bronze plaques that were going to be placed inside and outside of the Nursing School and on the campus of Cape Fear Community College. The bronze plaque of Doris in her nursing hat and uniform will be hung inside the Nursing School.

After the presentation by the officials of the College, Ms. Eakes went to the podium and presented signed books, "Pay It Forward," by Catherine Ryan Hyde, who flew to North Carolina to be present at the ceremony.

"I got the idea for the scholarships from a book, "Pay It Forward", by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The book tells how a 12- year old boy embarks on a plan to get everyone in the world to perform three acts of kindness. I had never met Catherine, but I wanted her to be here today as her book is the reason I am here today making this presentation and there will be others," Ms. Eakes said.

When the idea of the scholarships was first formed she wondered how she could expand the gift on into time. That answer was given to her by the book "Pay it Forward".

After the book signing and a brief statement from the author of the book, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Doris continued with the story of her life, "In late 1956, two events collided in my life. I was terribly disappointed when I was discharged from the James Walker School of Nursing, only a few blocks away from where we're gathered here today, because I married Joe Eakes. That disappointment, however, did not com- pare to the excitement and great sense of anticipation that resulted from being married to Joe."

She said her late husband was a humble man of vibrant spirit filled with integrity, great foresight and a God-given knowledge for business. "Thus, we are here today," she said.

Doris and Joe had a great life together. "God richly blessed us with family, dear friends, business associates, and success. We were partners in various business ventures including gas stations, restaurants, motels, and eventually our business activities pointed us in the direction of adult care facilities. Rest Home business as many call it. It was then that we found the niche we loved in providing quality care for the elderly in the State of North Carolina and in the Commonwealth of Virginia."

All along the way she said special people came into their lives at just the right time. "They gave us their support, advice, and friendship which meant more to us than perhaps any of them ever realized," she said.

Doris recognized a dear friend of hers, Ms. Bobbie Roundtree Adams. She was one of her professors in 1956. She holds a masters degree in nursing and a professorship from Duke University. "You know it's a small world when Bobbie and I rediscovered one another in a Sunday School class at First Christian Church of Wilmington after 40 years," Doris stated.

However, the Scholarship she gave to the Cape Fear Community College, will grow and continue to grow through the interest the Scholarship fund will receive.

"When I talked with friends, Tommy and Diana Hinson, I asked them about the scholarships in nursing, and business programs, they pointed me in the direction of Cape Fear Community College. And, here we are here today setting up the scholarship," Ms. Eakes stated.

In closing, Ms. Eakes had made a step forward into the future for the Cape Fear Community College. She closed her speech with the following, "to the Board of Trustees of the College, nursing continues to hold a special place in my heart and I am both humbled and honored that the School of Nursing at Cape Fear Community College will carry my name."

Doris also said that the success she and her late husband had experienced can help the Board of Directors of the College's Foundation by providing scholarships to as many as 25 to 40 Cape Fear students per year in nursing, business, computer training, and other occupational programs.

A reception followed the presentations.

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