Marquette receives $2.5 million gift from Helene Fuld Health Trust for new home for College of Nursing

MILWAUKEE — President Michael R. Lovell announced that Marquette University received a $2.5 million gift from the Helene Fuld Health Trust that will bolster the university’s plans to renovate and build an addition for the new home of Nursing in the heart of campus.

In recognition of the generous gift, the university will name the College of Nursing’s Center for Student Success in the trust’s honor in the renovated and expanded David A. Straz Jr. Hall when it opens in 2024. From first-year seminars to tutoring programs and learning communities, the center will offer a comprehensive and strategic approach to student success within the college.

The Helene Fuld Health Trust is the nation’s largest charitable trust devoted exclusively to supporting nursing students and nursing education.

“This tremendous gift will help transform our facility, and it is also an investment in the future of nurses at a critical time,” President Lovell said. “We are grateful to the Helene Fuld Health Trust for both its generosity and leadership.”

University leaders have shared a vision and strategic plan to add an additional 200 undergraduate nurses to the College of Nursing over a four-year period. Marquette’s College of Nursing is currently ranked 29th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The college’s growth includes adding more than 400 additional graduate students in the past five years through an accelerated direct-entry MSN program, filling a critical societal need in the city, region and nation.

“From the day each Marquette Nurse arrives on campus, our approach is centered on the Jesuit tenet of cura personalis: caring for the whole person,” said Dean Jill Guttormson, Ph.D., MS, RN. “We sincerely appreciate the trust’s commitment to our vision, which will help us shape the next generation of courageous leaders and engaged, critical thinkers.”

Fundraising momentum continues through Time to Rise campaign

Marquette’s university-wide efforts to drive fundraising through its historic Time to Rise campaign continue to gain momentum. The campaign has raised more than $673 million toward its $750 million goal. More than $271 million has been raised for scholarships, and to date, more than 64,000 donors have contributed. Half of these donors have made their first-ever gift to Marquette. In addition, 747 donors have given $100,000 commitments, and 134 donors have given $1 million or greater.

“We continue be inspired by the unprecedented support from our alumni, parents and partners around the world,” said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. “This leadership gift from the Helene Fuld Trust will help expand and transform Straz Hall, providing a state-of-the-art new home for our outstanding students, faculty and staff who together comprise the Marquette University College of Nursing.”

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.