May 25, 2022

Education, Opportunity, and Legacy — Family Establishes Scholarship Fund to Honor their Parents' Legacy

The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is honored to welcome the Ann and Matt Fennell Scholarship Fund to our community of philanthropy.

The Ann and Matt Fennell Scholarship Fund was established by their children to honor Ann and Matt’s legacy and to support the education of the next generation. Inspired by Ann’s career in nursing, and the kindness and dedication of nurses who cared for Ann and Matt throughout their lives, their family is pleased to share this scholarship opportunity for students pursuing a career in nursing.

Ann attended the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Elmira, New York. After working as a surgical nurse at Georgetown Hospital in Washington D.C., Ann returned to Elmira to marry Matt and start their life together. In 1977, Ann and Matt moved to El Paso with their 10 children. From Matt opening and managing Westinghouse Electric’s first maquiladora in Ciudad Juárez, and Ann returning to school to renew her nursing certification, the couple was devoted to the community in which they lived.

"Our parents strongly believed in education and service to others. This fund is a way for our family to honor that legacy and carry it forward in their names. Paso del Norte Community Foundation respectfully and compassionately worked with us, making the process meaningful and seamless," said Ann and Matt's daughter Ellen Ordaz.

The Ann and Matt Fennell Scholarship Fund is for students pursuing an education in nursing; Traditional BSN or RN to BSN degree plans at The University of Texas at El Paso and the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing; and who have demonstrated high achievement in academics. Priority will be given to students who have already been accepted into a nursing program and/or are enrolled in Phase 3/final phase of the program.

Visit the Ann and Matt Fennell Scholarship Fund page to make a gift to support students of the UTEP and Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing programs. 

Apply to the Ann and Matt Fennell Scholarship.