CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Corning Incorporated and Corning Community College awarded three full scholarships to help address the nursing shortage, which is a national and a local problem. The students awarded were Romario Brown, Maximus Ikechukwu and Tonya Craige. 

The Mary Eliza Mahoney Nursing Education Scholarship aims to support those who are underrepresented in the health sciences field. The scholarship is named after the first Black person in the U.S. to earn a professional nursing license. Three students received a full tuition scholarship each. Corning Inc's Office of Racial Equality and Social Unity and CCC developed the scholarship so students can focus on their studies, instead of the potential financial burden a college education can bring. 

“Corning Inc. has historically made it a priority to support education in the community, and we're excited to expand that commitment with the scholarship to support nursing students that are historically underrepresented in the health sciences field," said Michele Johnson, from ORESU Community Affairs with Corning Inc. 

Romario Brown, one of the scholarship recipients, added “It’s giving me a push forward, I don't have to worry about where its coming from, you know.  So, I'm going to focus more on getting what I need to get done and that will help me going forward.” 

Nurses are in short supply, especially in the Southern Tier. The students were chosen based of their merit, academic standings, and drive to enter the medical field as nurses. CCC officials say they are proud that this scholarship will help set students up for success. 

“So many of our nursing students face financial barriers with the cost of tuition, a lot of them are change of careers, or older students, so to have Corning Inc. fully and financially support them to help them realize their dreams of becoming a registered nurse, its just incredible for us,” said Krystal Jubilee, CCC director of nurse education. 

Brown talked about how this scholarship will give him the freedom to achieve his dreams of being a nurse, and set a positive example for his family. 

"[My family is] a huge percent of why I'm doing this.  They need someone to look up to, and having two girls, I’m very proud of that and hope that one day they'll aspire to be like me,” said Brown. 

Those scholarship recipients agreed to work in the medical field in Chemung or Steuben counties after they finish the nursing program at CCC.