EVANSVILLE — A $3.6 million donation to the University of Evansville will go to help nursing students with financial need.
The donation from the John B. and Lucille S. Kelly Trust will be used to support and grow the already established Lucy Kelly Nursing Scholarship.
Lucille Kelly graduated from UE with a nursing degree in 1970 at age 46, said Julie Bryant, a university spokeswoman. Kelly went on to a lengthy nursing career at Evansville's former Welborn Baptist Hospital. Her husband, John Kelly, was a physician at Welborn Clinic. She retired to Arizona where she lived until her passing at age 97.
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Kelly remained a supporter of the University of Evansville and its nursing program. Her concerns about a nursing shortage and access to education led her to establish a scholarship program.
The trust donation will help support and grow that scholarship. Applicants for the scholarship must be in the top 20 percent of their class and maintain a B grade average.
"We are tremendously grateful for the Kellys' generosity and foresight in developing a philanthropic plan that will both make the UE Nursing degree more accessible to students and expand the pipeline of professionals in this critical need field," said Abigail Werling, vice president for university advancement at UE. "Mrs. Kelly was very proud of her UE degree, and today, we are proud of the Kellys' decision to invest in the University of Evansville's future with such a beautiful gift of scholarship."
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UE's bachelor of science in nursing program has been accredited for more than 60 years, Bryant said.
"Nursing careers, especially in the (Tri-State), are currently in high demand," said Jerrilee Lamar, the Dunigan Family School of Nursing chair.
She said the donation will "support nursing students for years to come."