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LCSC-Coeur d'Alene grad earns national award

| March 21, 2018 1:00 AM

Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene graduate Theresa Whitlock-Wild has become the second LCSC grad in the past decade to win a prestigious award from the University Professional Continuing Education Association.

Whitlock-Wild, who graduated from LCSC-Coeur d’Alene's communications program last May, was honored with the Outstanding Professional, Continuing, and/or Online Education Student: Credit Award during a ceremony Thursday at the national UPCEA conference in Baltimore.

Whitlock-Wild was named the West Region winner of the award last fall, which qualified her as a finalist for the national honor. The award recognizes outstanding student achievement in professional and continuing education.

LCSC graduate Mary Jane Oatman won the award in 2008.

Whitlock-Wild was nominated based on her work as the first work scholar at LCSC-Coeur d’Alene. The LCSC Work Scholars program, the only of its kind in Idaho, pairs high-achieving students who have financial need with meaningful campus and community jobs. Each student receives a full tuition scholarship for the academic year for working 10 hours a week.

Whitlock-Wild coordinated the Swinging for Scholarships golf scramble in Coeur d’Alene last spring, which raised a record of nearly $7,000 for LCSC-Coeur d'Alene scholarships. She solicited sponsorships for the event, moved it to a different golf course and improved the format.

Whitlock-Wild has also been heavily involved with the Matt’s Place Foundation, which she co-founded in 2015 shortly after her husband Matt was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The nonprofit was created to assist people and families affected by ALS and spinal muscular atrophy. The foundation provides hope, housing and assistance to families dealing with ALS and other motor neuron diseases.

Last fall, Matt’s Place completed its first ALS-friendly smarthome in Coeur d’Alene. The design allows ALS patients to open the house with their eyes, along with opening and closing doors and windows, among other items. The foundation is hoping to build more homes like this in North Idaho.

Whitlock-Wild helped raise more than $200,000 to help with construction of the home.

Along with being an LC Work Scholar and helping with fundraising for Matt’s Place, Whitlock-Wild was a full-time and honor roll student. She earned her bachelor’s degree while being a care provider for her husband and raising three children. She wants to earn a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

"She is an excellent example of devotion to family, perseverance under adverse conditions and determination to complete multiple projects competing for her attention — all while doing them exceedingly well,” Martin wrote in her nomination letter.

As part of the award, Whitlock-Wild created a 60-second acceptance video, which can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/yl6jc8BGpoA.