News Archive, 1999 - 2020
125th Anniversary Year Culminates with Celebratory Gala
April 28, 2015
Inaugural Visionary Pioneers honored.
Baltimore, Md. – A spectacular gala, held April 18 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, concluded a year of special events celebrating the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) 125th anniversary. Nearly 500 people attended the celebration, which honored the School of Nursing’s 25 inaugural Visionary Pioneers. The Visionary Pioneer Award winners are alumni who have made a significant impact on—and contribution to—the field of nursing based on leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship.
During her welcome remarks, UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, thanked everyone for attending and acknowledged the event sponsors.
“We gather here to celebrate this significant anniversary in the School of Nursing’s history and to give it special meaning by honoring the School’s 25 inaugural Visionary Pioneers,” said Kirschling. “I am delighted to announce that gala sponsorships and gifts, combined with the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation’s generous match of 50 cents on the dollar, have resulted in more than $274,000 raised for the 125th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship Fund.”
At the end of the program, Kirschling made another major announcement – the School received the largest gift in its history, $5.2 million, from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation. The gift will enable the School to expand enrollment in its traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, increase opportunities for registered nurses to obtain their BSN degrees, and provide full scholarships to the 157 new Conway Scholars.
Photos from the gala can be viewed and downloaded at https://www.flickr.com/photos/maryland-nursing/sets/72157649886176634.
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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.