Transformational funding will provide scholarships and emergency support for nursing students
A landmark $2 million gift from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF will help Belmont University remove financial barriers for nursing students and address the critical shortage of nurses nationwide. The four-year commitment to the Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing will support nearly 200 students pursuing careers in nursing through the new Joanne and William Conway Nursing Scholarship program.
The generous contribution enables Belmont Nursing to welcome an additional cohort of B.S.N. students this fall, alleviating financial burdens and allowing students to prioritize their educational journey. Students receiving the scholarships will be known as Conway Scholars, in recognition of Bedford Falls Foundation founder and trustee Bill Conway Jr. and his late wife, Joanne Barkett Conway.
"This extraordinary gift from the Bedford Falls Foundation is transformational," said Dr. Julie Honey, dean of the Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing. "Our shared belief is that no aspiring nurse should be deterred from answering his or her calling due to financial barriers, and these Conway Scholars will be equipped with the support they need to focus on their studies and future careers in nursing. We are deeply honored to carry forward the legacy of compassion and generosity that Bill and Joanne Conway so beautifully represent."
In addition to scholarships, the gift establishes a Joanne Barkett Conway Dean's Emergency Fund to provide urgent financial assistance for nursing students facing unexpected hardships. The fund is designed to support students who experience significant life changes or events that adversely impact their financial situation, ensuring they can remain in the classroom and complete their education.
"Nursing education is one of the most powerful investments we can make in America's future," said Bill Conway Jr., co-founder and trustee of the Bedford Falls Foundation. "When financial barriers for nursing students are removed, lives are changed and our health care system is strengthened. We're proud to partner with Belmont University to help prepare the next generation of nurses who will serve their communities for decades to come."
The gift comes at a critical time as the United States faces a significant shortage of nurses. According to a recent study, the Health Resources and Services Administration project a shortage of more than 78,000 full-time registered nurses by 2025. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that nursing schools turned away more than 65,000 qualified applications in 2023 due to insufficient faculty, clinical sites and classroom space. Additionally, 23% of nurses working in outpatient and clinical settings have retired or plan to retire within the next five years, further intensifying the shortage.
"We are deeply grateful to the Bedford Falls Foundation for this partnership, which strengthens Belmont's role as a leader in nursing education and enhances our ability to serve as a pathway for the nursing workforce our nation desperately needs," said Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones. "The Bedford Falls Foundation shares our vision that accessible, high-quality nursing education is essential to meeting the health care challenges of tomorrow."
About Bedford Falls Foundation
The Bedford Falls Foundation, a private foundation, and Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF, a donor-advised fund advised by the foundation, were each established by Bill Conway Jr., co-founder and co-chairman of the global investment firm the Carlyle Group, and his late wife, Joanne Barkett Conway. Since 2013, the shared mission of their nursing philanthropy is to remove financial barriers to a high-quality nursing education and support educational partners in addressing the critical nursing workforce shortage. To learn more about Bedford Falls and the areas that it supports, visit www.bedfordfallsfoundation.org.
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