Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow has fond memories of spending time with her uncles as she grew up. They were loving, giving people who cared for others – one working as a nurse, the other as a respiratory therapist.
And while both have passed away, their desire to help others will benefit Black Hawk College nursing students for years to come.
On Nov. 20, the Black Hawk College Foundation announced that a $250,000 endowment has been created for the new James Cobin Class of 1976 Endowed Scholarship for full-time nursing students at Black Hawk College.
Before his death in June 2022, Black Hawk College alumnus Stanley Anderberg decided to create the endowment in memory of his husband, James Cobin. Cobin – who died in January 2017 – graduated from the Black Hawk College nursing program in 1976.
As a male in the nursing field, “Uncle Jim” was a pioneer at a time when fewer than 3% of nurses were male, his niece said. Cobin was the president of his nursing class and shortly before he died, gave Dr. Hilton-Morrow his Black Hawk College nursing pin.
For Cobin, nursing was not a profession, but a calling, she said.
The caring and compassion for others that two Black Hawk College alumni showed in life will continue with the James Cobin Class of 1976 Endowed Scholarship.
“Black Hawk College was important to both of them,” Dr. Hilton-Morrow said.
“We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to connect with the family and share this exciting news,” said Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the Black Hawk College Foundation.
“Thanks to the heartwarming and generous gift from Stanley Anderberg, we are able to support BHC programs and transform BHC students’ lives,” she said.
About Stanley Anderberg and James Cobin
Stanley Anderberg was born in Davenport and grew up in Moline, graduating from Moline High School in 1969. He graduated from Black Hawk College then Western Illinois University with a degree in education. While he never taught school as his formal profession, his love of learning persisted throughout his life.
During college, he met James Cobin while on a trip to Germany. Cobin, a native of New York state, was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army.
After college, Anderberg worked for Deere Harvester Works in East Moline. During the farm implement crisis of the 1980s, Anderberg lost his factory job and returned to college to earn a degree in respiratory therapy.
Cobin joined Anderberg in the Quad Cities and enrolled at Black Hawk College. He graduated from the nursing program in 1976 then worked as a nurse at Moline Lutheran Hospital. The couple lived in Rock Island until 1987 when they moved to St. Pete Beach, FL.
Both worked at Bay Pines VA (Veterans Affairs) Hospital. Cobin retired in 2012 and Anderberg retired in 2013. The longtime partners wed in May 2015.
Media coverage:
- Dispatch/Argus/Quad-City Times – Black Hawk College announces $250K nursing endowment, new scholarship
- KWQC – Black Hawk College announces significant nursing scholarship endowment
- Quad Cities Regional Business Journal – Black Hawk College: New $250K scholarship to help future nurses
- Regional Media News – Black Hawk College Foundation Announced $250,000 Endowment for Nursing Students
- WHBF/KLJB – BHC nursing program gets $250,000 donation
- WQAD – Donor gives $250K to Black Hawk College for nursing scholarships