U of M School of Nursing Announces $2.5 million Dollar Endowment to Support Nursing Scholarships

Gift is second largest in school's history

Contact:
Aneisha Tucker, School of Nursing, tucke127@umn.edu or  612-626-1817
Laura Stroup, Academic Health Center, stro0481@umn.edu or 612-624-5680             .      

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (Feb. 1, 2008) - The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is pleased to announce a $2.5 million endowment from the trust of Mary K. and Cyrus A. Field to support both undergraduate and graduate nursing students. The gift is eligible for additional funds through the President's Scholarship match, further enhancing the funds available to nursing students. This is the second largest gift to the School of Nursing in its 99-year history.

"The School of Nursing deeply celebrates the generosity and the vision of Mary K. Fields," said Dean Connie Delaney, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., F.A.C.M.I. "The Mary K. Field and Cyrus A. Field Scholarship significantly empowers the school to address the nursing workforce shortage for entry-level nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, and nursing faculty.  This gift is particularly timely as the school graduated its first classes in two new professional degree programs in December 2007 - the masters in nursing and the doctor of nursing practice (DNP). This scholarship, which also enhances the resources for students in the baccalaureate program offered at the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses, will ultimately add breadth and depth to nurses - and their ability to transform health care within interprofessional teams."

In addition to the gift directed to nursing, the Fields also donated $250,000 to support the general University of Minnesota Scholarship Fund. Mary Field was born and raised in Bloomington, Minn. and worked as a registered nurse during World War II. She later went on to become a nurse anesthetist. Mary and Cyrus Field met in Fergus Falls, Minn. where Cyrus practiced law; they were married for 41 years. 

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing, ranked among the nation's top nursing schools, is a leader in improving health care through research, education, and service. Its nationally and world-renowned scientists discover practical health care treatments and solutions people can use today to improve their daily lives. The oldest continuing university-based school of nursing in the nation, it has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of approximately 800 students. The school educates 55 percent of the faculty in Minnesot's public and private nursing schools, advanced practice nurses, and nurses who can assume leadership positions. The School of Nursing is part of the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, one of the most comprehensive facilities for health professionals in the nation, fostering interdisciplinary study, research, and education. For additional information on the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, go to www.nursing.umn.edu.