Shirley J. Pinterich taught at Union College's Denver Campus before moving to Texas in 1967 with her husband, Carl, and their two sons. Carl was called to complete his doctorate and teach in the Education Department at Southwestern when it was moving from junior college status to senior college status. Shirley taught beginning nursing courses at Southwestern, and at the time, students then transferred to Union College to complete their studies and graduate. Shirley and these students were happy to attend the groundbreaking event for what is now Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South, as that was where students would complete their clinicals.

In 1975, Shirley started the associate science degree program at Southwestern. The nursing program was going well, so she went to work at Huguley Hospital, where she served for nine years as the vice president of nursing. Always interested in Southwestern's nursing students, she started a student extern and intern program. Then Shirley returned to teach again at Southwestern for more than ten years.

Even after her retirement, Shirley was involved in coaching nursing students and helping with their service learning. She was a dedicated Christian teacher with the gift of encouragement. Shirley became a professor emeritus and was inducted into Southwestern's Hall of Fame in 2001. She was a founding member and treasurer of the Association of Seventh-day Adventist Nurses (ASDAN) for more than 20 years and was honored by ASDAN and the North American Division for her dedication and interest in encouraging scholarships for nursing students.

Scholarship award requirements

This scholarship is awarded to a Seventh-day Adventist nursing student and is based on academic achievement and financial need. The recipient is awarded after submission and selection of a one-page essay entitled, "How I See Myself Contributing to SDA Nursing."

Students Recipients 

2020-2021-Andrew Acebedo

2019-2020 -Sarah Hanson

2018-2019 -Michael Rantung 

2016-2017 - Rajcel De Vera

2015-2016 - Christopher Janes

2014-2015 - Courtney Ryan

2013-2014 - Ching Gualnam

2012-2013 - Amanda Vargas

2011-2012 - Amanda Vargas

2010-2011 - Krystle Sharna Quinlan