Matthew David Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund created for future PTA students of OCCC

Matthew Hamilton of Newcastle, Oklahoma, was a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) student at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC). Matt would have graduated with an associate degree and a desire to help others through physical therapy before he lost his life in a tragic automobile accident on December 16, 2013. To keep his spirit alive, and to honor his passion for the profession, the Matthew David Hamilton Memorial Scholarship has been established by his PTA classmates, faculty and friends at OCCC.

The annual scholarship will help reduce the financial burden on a PTA student as he or she prepares to join the physical therapy profession.

Matt was a 2008 graduate of Newcastle High School. He attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and was a member of the Jets cheerleading team.

At OCCC, Matt had successfully completed the PTA program’s academic requirements and was awaiting full-time clinical internships before graduation. Matt also worked as a physical therapy aide, primarily with the geriatric population. He was gifted at many things, especially encouraging, motivating and truly caring about patients and co-workers.

Already raising money for the scholarship fund in Matt’s name, many students and friends will be running in the 2014 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in Matt’s honor. Funds raised will go directly to the Matthew David Hamilton Scholarship Fund. T-shirts can also be purchased for $30 by April 10. Click the link here www.booster.com/matthamiltonmemorialscholarshipfund to order.

To honor Matt’s memory and donate to the Matthew David Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit /foundation/donationform.html, or send your donation to the Oklahoma City Community College Foundation, 7777 S. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73159. For more information, please call (405) 682-7519. The mission and purpose of the Oklahoma City Community College Foundation is to support students through scholarship opportunities and enhance the priorities of OCCC.

OCCC graduated its first class of physical therapist assistants in 1984. Throughout the past 30 years, these graduates have earned a strong reputation for excellence within the physical therapist community.

For more information about the Matthew David Hamilton Memorial Scholarship, contact Jennifer Ball at jball@occc.edu or Peggy Newman at peggy.d.newman@occc.edu.