mySouthern
Southern Establishes the “We Can Do Hard Things” Nursing Scholarship
Amber Miller-Belcher is pictured with Southern’s Chief External Affairs Officer, Stacy Dingess, presenting the first donation to the “We Can Do Hard Things” Scholarship Fund.
Logan, WV — Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, in partnership with the Miller family, has established the “We Can Do Hard Things” Nursing Scholarship in memory of Katherine Riffe Miller and Carla Rae (Cook) Miller—two devoted nurses, mothers, and proud Southern graduates.
Kathy and Carla each overcame tremendous challenges in their pursuit of nursing, dedicating their lives to caring for others while raising their families. This scholarship honors their determination, resilience, and lifelong commitment to service, ensuring that future generations of nurses have the same opportunity to succeed.
Scholarship Goals & Awards
Southern, together with the family and friends of Kathy and Carla, aims to:
- Raise $25,000 by December 2025 to establish a permanent scholarship endowment.
- Begin awarding scholarships in 2026.
Scholarship awards will include:
- (2) $1,000 – Awards to two non-traditional students entering the Nursing program.
- (2) $500 – Awards to two high school graduates entering the Nursing program.
- Total Awards: $3,000
Applications will be available on Southern’s website www.southernwv.edu beginning in January of 2026. [Recipients must be accepted into Southern’s Nursing program. Preference may be given to students from Logan County or surrounding areas.]
How to Support the Fund
Community members and organizations are invited to help make this vision a reality.
To contribute to the scholarship fund, please contact:
- Amber Miller-Belcher – (304) 784-0111 |
- Stacy Dingess – (304) 896-7425 |
Checks may be mailed to The Southern Foundation, P.O. Box 2020, Mount Gay, WV 25637. Please include “We Can Do Hard Things Scholarship” in the memo line.
Every contribution helps honor Kathy and Carla’s legacy by investing in the next generation of nurses.
Upcoming Event
A “Girls Night Out” Fundraiser will be held on April 25, 2026, at McCoy Station to celebrate the lives of Kathy and Carla while supporting the scholarship endowment. The theme will be “Life of a Showgirl.”
About the Scholarship Name
When the family lost Carla in October 2024 and Kathy in April 2025—a daughter and mother only months apart—they coined the phrase together: “We can do hard things.”
This scholarship carries that message forward, reminding students that even in life’s hardest moments, perseverance and faith make anything possible.
The family hopes recipients will carry this motto with them, working hard to become exceptional nurses like Kathy and Carla—beloved mothers, nana, mimi, sister, and daughter.
