April 27, 2015
Kyle Guthrie
[email protected]
The Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences has been renamed following an $8 million grant.
The decision was made by the CU Board of Regents, who met to discuss the renaming in honor of the donors, Helen and Arthur Johnson.
In light of the donation, the college will be renamed the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
This is the first academic college to be named in honor of a donor.
The Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson foundation is a non-profit philanthropic foundation that was founded in 1948 with the goal of providing resources and funds to organizations that are aimed at relieving suffering, promoting basic human needs and self-sufficiency and enriching the quality of life.
$2.9 million have been donated to the University of Colorado by the foundation since 1979.
The grant given by the foundation is meant to increase the number and quality of training facilities available to students, as well as increase the number of faculty available to train the students.
The nursing program was named among the Best Online Programs for Grad Nursing by U.S. News & World Report, and is one of the fastest growing nursing programs in Colorado.
Jack Alexander, president of the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation, said that the foundation and the family were thrilled with the news of the renaming.
“We’re honored,” Alexander said. “We would just like you to know that the family behind this and the staff involved are thrilled with our relationship with UCCS and everything that you do there.”
Alexander said the relationship between the foundation and UCCS is a long one.
“We’ve had a strong relationship with UCCS that’s gone back more than ten years,” he said.
Lynn Campion, chairman for the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation Board of Trustees, also released a statement for a recent press release.
“The Beth-El College of Nursing is an outstanding program and its efforts are imperative to address the nursing shortage in our state, especially in rural Colorado,” Campion said.
“Our family foundation is proud of our long-standing partnership with the college and we are pleased to provide this gift to help ensure long-term sustainability and continued action in addressing such a critical healthcare issue.”