The Betsy Wheat Nursing Scholarship was established in 2012 by Wheat's friends and family. The scholarship will be used to help sophomore students enrolled in Panola College’s registered nursing program.

Betsy began her career at Panola College in 1967. She was a registered nurse who had amassed considerable teaching experience and whose husband, Mac, had just accepted a coaching position at Beckville High School. Betsy drove to Carthage to inquire about employment opportunities. At Panola Junior College (PJC) she was hired to replace Helen Kaluza, who had just become director of nursing at Panola General Hospital. Under Betsy’s leadership the vocational nursing program was able to double the number of students it had been teaching prior to her arrival. Wheat took pride that PJC nursing students always found employment. In 1988 Betsy was promoted to Director of Student Services. She continued in that position until 1993 when she was elevated to Dean of Student Affairs. She continued in this position until her retirement in 2004.

The Betsy Wheat Nursing Scholarship will be awarded annually to a sophomore nursing student. The selection of the recipient will be made in the spring each year.