Jesse T. Moreno Jr. Memorial Scholarship Continues to Empower Future Nurses at SWTX
This year’s recipients of the $500 scholarship include: Ana Maria Aquillon, Kianna Lara, Elaine Lara, Desiree Vera and Ashley Chapa all attending the Uvalde campus.
The scholarship provides essential financial support to students as they begin their journey in the SWTX nursing program, helping to ease the burden of educational expenses and encouraging academic success.
Jesse T. Moreno Jr., born on October 23, 1957, was a proud Uvalde native and SWTX alumnus. After graduating from Uvalde High School in 1976, he earned an Associate of Arts degree from SWTX in 1978. His passion for nursing led him to the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing in San Antonio, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1981.
Moreno’s career began at Bexar County Hospital (now University Hospital) in San Antonio and later took him to New York, where he married Loretta Donnelly and welcomed their first son, Christopher Jesus Moreno. In 1991, Jesse returned to Texas and joined the Kerrville VA Hospital, where he worked for 22 years. He and Loretta also celebrated the birth of their second son, Eric Elisandro Moreno.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jesse was known for his love of running, fishing, camping, and hunting—especially when shared with family and friends. His greatest joy came from being a father to his two sons. Jesse passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2014, after a courageous 16-year battle with multiple myeloma.
To help fund the scholarship, the Moreno family hosts an annual yard sale in Uvalde. This year’s sale will take place on Saturday, September 13. Proceeds from the event go directly toward supporting nursing students through the scholarship, continuing Jesse’s legacy of care and community support. For contributions to the annual fundraiser contact Nora Gonzalez at norag8085@gmail.com.
The Jesse T. Moreno Jr. Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to first-year registered nursing students at SWTX who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to the nursing profession. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses and submit a 200-word essay detailing their background, motivation for pursuing nursing, and personal challenges.
SWTX’s registered nursing program prepares graduates to thrive in a dynamic healthcare environment. With a rigorous curriculum and dedicated faculty, students are equipped to meet the evolving demands of the nursing field.
For more information about the Jesse T. Moreno Jr. Memorial Scholarship, contact Sandra Flores at sflores2@swtjc.edu or (830) 591-7271.