Philanthropists Whitneys donate one million dollars to the School of Nursing, contributing to the Meliora Challenge initiative.
University of Rochester Alumna Fay Wadsworth Whitney Donates $1 Million to Establish Endowed Gift Fund
Fay Wadsworth Whitney, a distinguished alumna of the University of Rochester, has announced a generous gift of $1 million to establish the Ralph R. and Fay Wadsworth Whitney Endowed Gift Fund. This fund will provide ongoing financial support to students in nurse practitioner programs or more advanced degree programs at the University of Rochester's School of Nursing.
The fund, which is dedicated to supporting nurse practitioner education and advanced degree students, will help with tuition, research opportunities, and program resources. The Interim Dean of the School of Nursing, Kathy H. Rideout, expressed gratitude for the Whitneys' gift, stating that it supports the School's critical goal to build a stronger endowment and provide scholarship assistance to students.
Roy Whitney, Jr., another University of Rochester alumnus and a long-time member of the University Board of Trustees, also praised the Whitneys for their dedication to supporting exceptional students in the nursing profession.
Fay Wadsworth Whitney's impressive academic and professional background includes a master's degree in nursing from Syracuse University and a nurse practitioner certificate from Brigham Young University in 1974. She went on to earn a master's degree in public health from Syracuse University in 1982, followed by a PhD in social science, and a minor in economics, from the Maxwell School of Public Administration.
Throughout her career, Fay Wadsworth Whitney has made significant contributions to the nursing profession. She co-authored two books, published 42 referenced articles, and presented at 72 national and international meetings. She was a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and directed the adult nurse practitioner and occupational health programs there for ten years.
In 1988, Fay Wadsworth Whitney was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. In 2003, the Wyoming University School of Nursing was renamed the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing in recognition of a $3 million gift from Roy in honor of Fay's successful career in nursing and collaboration. Fay Wadsworth Whitney also established the Whitney Health and Wellness Center, an organization that offers and coordinates clinic-based and home-based assistance to elderly residents.
The Meliora Challenge: The Campaign for the University of Rochester is ongoing, and the Ralph R. and Fay Wadsworth Whitney Endowed Gift Fund will undoubtedly contribute significantly to its success. Fay Wadsworth Whitney, as co-chair of the School of Nursing's comprehensive campaign, will play a vital role in shaping the future of nursing education at the University of Rochester.
For more detailed information about the Ralph R. and Fay Wadsworth Whitney Endowed Gift Fund, including specific background, quantified impact, and updates on its use, we recommend checking the University of Rochester School of Nursing website, university news releases, or contacting their Development Office directly.
Fay Wadsworth Whitney's donation will not only strengthen the Ralph R. and Fay Wadsworth Whitney Endowed Gift Fund at the University of Rochester's School of Nursing, but it will also facilitate health-and-wellness initiatives through her Whitney Health and Wellness Center. Additionally, her extensive background in science, education-and-self-development, and public health will undoubtedly inspire nursing students at the university.
