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Ground breaks on the new UNMC Center for College of Nursing Sciences. The new facility will enable the college to enroll 265 additional students annually in Omaha by the year 2020 — an increase of nearly 70 percent over the current 385 students. |
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Omaha philanthropist Ruth Scott meets with College of Nursing students at Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony. |
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Chao Zhang, left, a UNMC College of Nursing doctoral student from China, presents a cuplet to Ruth and Bill Scott on Wednesday. The cuplet says in Chinese, “No matter how far a bird flies, it always misses the forest where it was born; no matter how far a fish swims, it is always attached to the river where it was reared.” |
The anticipation was such that even pouring rain and cold winds couldn’t keep more than 100 people from gathering under a large tent for a ceremonial ground-breaking of a $14 million, 43,000-square-foot building for the college.
Omaha philanthropist Ruth Scott stole the show with her speech that used knock-knock jokes as an anchor. She said one day last year, she and her husband heard a “knock-knock” story that made them want to cry.
“We had read about the shortage of nurses in Nebraska and the impending critical shortage of nurses nationwide,” Scott said. “On digging deeper, we learned that in 2006-2007, UNMC had turned away 500 qualified applicants form their nursing program. Those students said, ‘Knock-knock’ and were told, ‘You can’t come in — we have a shortage of teachers and not enough classrooms.'”
Scott and husband, Bill Scott, provided the lead gift for the free-standing Center for College of Nursing Sciences, which will be adjacent to the college’s current facility at 42nd Street and Dewey Ave. It will enable the college to enroll more nursing students and prepare more nurse faculty.
She said because there is no place like Nebraska, and since 95 percent of the nurses trained in Nebraska work in Nebraska, it was time for them to do something.
“Bill and I sat down and shook our piggybank one more time and came up with enough to provide 43,000 additional square feet,” Scott said. “Hopefully — the next time it will go, ‘knock-knock’ — who’s there? Sarah. Sarah who? Sarah chance there is room for me in your College of Nursing?’ Then we can open the door and say, ‘Come right on in, and Git-R-Done.’ ”
UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said Ruth and Bill Scott are the epitome of the giving spirit of this community.
“One only has to look around this tent site to see the Scotts’ generosity to this campus. They are largely responsible for the establishment of what we call our academic campus, east of 42nd Street,” Dr. Maurer said. “We are grateful to them for their generosity. This center would not have been possible without the terrific support of Ruth and Bill Scott, a true gem of a couple in Omaha.”
For the dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., Wednesday was a dream come true. She relayed heartfelt thanks to the Scotts from the entire college.
“We are just so deeply touched and affected by this gift,” Dr. Tilden said. “It’s so historic. The college is 90 years old and this is the largest and most generous gift in the college’s history.”
She said as she travels across the state, she talks about the nursing shortage with a presentation titled, “Who will care for you?”
“Well, Ruth and Bill Scott are answering those questions,” Dr. Tilden said. “This building will allow us to expand the number of students and faculty and provide resources — learning technology my generation never dreamed of … it also will allow us to be competitive in recruiting the best faculty.”
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During a lunch to honor the Scotts following the ceremony, Chao Zhang, a UNMC College of Nursing doctoral student from China, presented the Scotts with a 4-foot cuplet — a rhyme of wisdom her father made. It is customary in China to display them on each side of the doorway of homes.
The cuplet says in Chinese, “No matter how far a bird flies, it always misses the forest where it was born; no matter how far a fish swims, it is always attached to the river where it was reared.”
The free-standing Center for College of Nursing Sciences will be funded entirely through private donations. The projected opening is March 2010.
The new facility will enable the college to enroll 265 additional students annually in Omaha by the year 2020 — an increase of nearly 70 percent over the current 385 students. The college also will dramatically increase graduates in its master’s and doctoral programs — programs that prepare nurses to become faculty members.
What others are saying
“We see a growing need for nurses and other health care professionals, particularly in our rural communities. Expanding UNMC’s nursing programs is an important contribution that we hope will help Nebraska hospitals hire the additional staff they will need in the coming years.” — Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy
“I am very pleased the University of Nebraska Medical Center continues to expand its facilities and provide high quality education to health care professionals. The new College of Nursing facility will enable UNMC to increase the number of nurses who graduate and go on to serve Omaha and the surrounding areas. The college is a valuable asset to our community and I am confident we will continue to see great things from the university, its faculty and students.” — Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey
“We’ve had some serious problems with the nursing shortage. It’s a wonderful thing for the university to step in and help relieve the shortage. It will increase not only the number of practicing nurses, but also the nurses who will teach. This is another feather in UNMC’s cap. It shows Dr. Maurer’s vision in the growth of the medical center into a world-class institution.” — Stan Truhlsen, M.D., emeritus professor and former chair, UNMC College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology
“It is thrilling to know that a ‘state of the art’ facility dedicated to the education of nurses will exist alongside of the fabulous Sorrell Center. Nebraska, indeed, our whole region, will be well-served by the best and brightest health care professionals that pass through our world class institutions.” — Gail Walling Yanney, M.D., UNMC College of Medicine alum
“With two sons practicing medicine, I’m often reminded of the critical shortage of nursing professionals. Physicians and patients alike should cheer this expansion of UNMC’s nursing profession and thank Bill and Ruth Scott for the generosity that has made it possible.” — Suzanne Scott, community volunteer
“BryanLGH Health System welcomes UNMC’s expanded commitment to nursing education in our state. Registered nurses, including nurse faculty, are an essential resource that will impacts every Nebraskan. This new facility will benefit the state for many years in the future.” — Kim Russel, president and CEO, BryanLGH Health System
“The University of Nebraska Medical Center has a long and proud history of leadership in the areas of research, patient care, education and outreach. For 90 years, the College of Nursing has played an integral role in building UNMC’s renowned international reputation. This new building will open doors to hundreds of additional qualified nursing students, help address the growing nursing shortage, and position the college for long-term growth that will benefit UNMC and all of Nebraska.” — Jim Young, chairman and CEO, Union Pacific
“The proposed new nursing school is a vital link to continuing the tradition of excellence of care. This new facility will assure future generations of the same level of quality care that I received during my recent hospitalizations at UNMC. I applaud your foresight.” — Sandy Kasner, president, Sandy Kasner Carpet
“Clarkson College, a fellow member of The Nebraska Medical Center, celebrates the planned expansion of the UNMC College of Nursing. The prospect of additional nursing educators and expanded opportunities for nursing research will be of critical benefit to all of Nebraska.” — Lou Burgher, M.D., Ph.D., president, Clarkson College
“Ruth and Bill Scott are leaders. And, real leaders are forward looking people. The Scotts recognized well a serious shortcoming relating to health care delivery, the impending nursing shortage that impacts us all. Their leadership gift supporting the new Center for College of Nursing Sciences directly and effectively addresses this great challenge for UNMC and all of Nebraska. Their foresight and leadership are both exceptional. Thank you, Ruth and Bill Scott.” — John Niemann, Ed.D., senior vice president, University of Nebraska Foundation