The Charles Sturt Foundation Trust has distributed more than 200 scholarships and prizes, totalling almost $900 000, to Charles Sturt University (CSU) students at scholarship ceremonies this month.

A new Foundation donor, Mrs Marie Wood, attended CSU in Wagga to presented the inaugural $10 000 Wood-McDonald Scholarship to postgraduate student, Mrs Kristin Griffin.

Mrs Wood will offer the Wood-McDonald Scholarship annually to a postgraduate student at CSU in Wagga Wagga studying nursing or health sciences.

She said she was moved to contribute to the future of healthcare in the region after the loss of some close family members and witnessing first-hand the value of local health services.

In thanking Mrs Wood for her generosity and foresight in supporting health research, Ms Griffin said, "The Wood—McDonald Scholarship enables me to undertake my PhD later this year."

Mrs Griffin was an Intensive Care Registered Nurse and is now a lecturer in the University's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health.

Her PhD will explore the history of nursing, its evolution and subsequent challenges.

 "Generous donations like that of Mrs Wood given in the form of student scholarships allow people to commence, or continue, their studies at Charles Sturt University," Mrs Griffin said.

"This benefits both the student but also to the local community as well as the students can relocate to Wagga Wagga for their studies, supporting the local economy in many ways.

"Many of these people may also remain in the city after their studies are completed, bringing their new expertise into the regional community."

Mrs Wood also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Head of Campus Ms Miriam Dayhew.

"The generosity of our benefactors is a wonderful support for our students and welcoming a new benefactor, like Mrs Wood, gives me great pleasure," Ms Dayhew said.

"This year we also welcomed the accounting firm Twomeys with a specialist scholarship for business students.  I believe that our students will repay the investment in their study many times over in their contributions to their communities throughout their careers. A scholarship donation is an investment in the future of Australia," Ms Dayhew said.

Ms Dayhew also praised the role and work of the University's retiring Chancellor Mr Lawrence Willett, AO who officiated at his final student ceremony ahead of his retirement in late 2014.

More details about contributing to scholarships at CSU are available on the CSU Foundation Trust page.