Honoring a legacy of compassion in health care: OHIO announces the creation of the Anita Chesser Potts Memorial Scholarship

Ohio University has announced the establishment of the Anita Chesser Potts Memorial Scholarship in Nursing, an endowed scholarship established by her husband, Thomas Potts, creating a lasting tribute to one of the early graduates of OHIO’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program and a woman remembered for her compassion, perseverance and devotion to caring for others.

The scholarship honors the life and legacy of Anita L. Chesser Potts and will support future Ohio University School of Nursing students within the College of Health Sciences and Professions who demonstrate academic excellence, resilience, financial need and a commitment to service — the same qualities that shaped Anita’s life.

Anita’s story with Tom began overseas in Italy in 1973 while both were serving in the United States Air Force. What started as a friendship soon grew into a lifelong partnership rooted in love, encouragement and shared purpose. After Anita returned home to New Marshfield, Ohio, and Tom transferred back to the United States, the couple became engaged while Anita pursued her nursing degree at OHIO.

Determined to complete her education, Anita carried an extraordinary academic load while planning for her future. Although she was unable to participate in her commencement ceremony in 1976, she proudly celebrated another milestone soon after when the couple married at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Athens later that year.

Together, Anita and Tom built a life centered on family, faith and unwavering support for each other and for their community for the next 47 years until Anita’s passing in 2024.

Throughout her life and professional career, Anita’s calling to serve others never changed, and she wholeheartedly embraced caregiving in ways that enabled her to share her compassion, patience and strength with her family and across her community. Through the establishment of this scholarship, those same qualities will continue to inspire and support future generations of Ohio University nursing students.

Potts’ family noted that establishing a scholarship in honor of their mother became a meaningful way to ensure her kindness and spirit can further inspire future generations of nurses.

“Through this scholarship, Tom hopes to assist aspiring nurses who demonstrate dedication, resilience and a commitment to caring for others — qualities that defined Anita’s life,” the Potts family shared in the donor statement that helped establish the fund.

"The nursing profession is built on compassion, resilience and a commitment to serving others – qualities that Anita Potts exemplified throughout her life," said Janet Simon, Interim Dean of Ohio University's College of Health Sciences and Professions. "We are deeply grateful to Tom Potts for honoring Anita's legacy in a way that will open doors for future nursing students and strengthen the health care workforce for generations to come."

The Anita Chesser Potts Memorial Scholarship in Nursing will support undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, with special consideration given to those pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

This scholarship is also eligible for the OHIO Match. Through the OHIO Match, any gift made to eligible scholarship endowments now through June 30, 2031, will be matched 50 cents on the dollar. For more information, or to explore establishing an endowment fund that can take advantage of OHIO’s 50 percent match, please contact giving@ohio.edu.