91ÊÓƵ

For Randy and Malinda Gump, sending their daughter Nichole to college was the top priority.

Money was tight and the family lived paycheck to paycheck as both parents worked to help Nichole afford to attend the University of Oregon. Nichole did her part, too, spending much of her senior year of high school researching and applying for more than 40 academic scholarships.

The family had looked forward to June 9, when students at St. Helens High School were awarded scholarships. But on June 5, Randy Gump, a builder for 33 years, died suddenly from a massive heart attack.

Four days later, Nichole’s name was called over and over again as she won eight private scholarships in addition to an academic scholarship from the University of Oregon.

“We were really stressed out because there was no way she was going to be able to afford to go to school without getting some scholarships,” Malinda Gump said, “especially since the building industry had taken such a turn for the worse. It was a bittersweet evening.”

“I wish he could’ve seen that I got all of these scholarships, because it was a big worry in my family, whether or not I could afford to go to school,” Nichole said.

Nichole Gump graduated from high school with a 3.8 grade point average. She also played varsity soccer, was a member of the National Honor Society and served as president of the Key Club.

In August, two months after her father died, Nicole was awarded the 2010 Oregon State Building and Construction Trades’ Council scholarship, her 10th scholarship.

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, a Portland firm, for the past 19 years has provided the scholarship for children of trade workers. Each year the winner of the $750 academic scholarship is selected by the Oregon governor’s office.

“It truly means a lot to me; it really does,” Gump said. “I’m so thankful for it, because without this and the other scholarships I wouldn’t be able to study at U of O.”

The building and construction trade scholarship also means a lot to the members of her late father’s union. He was a member of the Construction and General Laborers’ Union Local 320 until his death.

“She won this scholarship on merit, and we’re very proud,” said Jodi Guetzloe-Parker, who runs the Local 320 office. “Randy was a good man who worked very hard for his family, and his passing was very sad. But to see her receive one more supportive action to help her go to college is just phenomenal. She took part in every activity and maintained such a high grade point average.”

Gump plans to put the $10,000 in scholarship money toward her education at the University of Oregon, where she will study nursing. According to Gump, her desire to become a nurse comes from spending a significant amount of time in hospitals.

“I get hurt a lot and I’m always amazed when I’m in the doctor’s office how helpful the nurses are and how much care they provide,” Gump said. “I decided that’s what I want to do.”