HU GALA TO RAISE FUNDS FOR NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS

Hampton, VA - The Hampton University School of Nursing 60th Anniversary Gala will honor local nurses and support student nurses. Sixty local nurses will be recognized for their contributions to promoting the health of families in the Hampton Roads area. The public is invited to attend the black-tie affair on April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Hampton University Student Center.

Proceeds from the Gala will fund scholarships for students to attend the Hampton University School of Nursing. The Gala is a part of the School’s ongoing efforts to combat the national nursing shortage by recruiting and offering scholarships to students. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recently recognized Hampton’s School of Nursing as an enrollment success story. In 2003, the School had a 25 percent increase in enrollment at the main campus, and a 50 percent increase overall when students from the new campus, the College of Virginia Beach, are included in the total.

"It is essential to the deliverance of culturally sensitive care that we support efforts to provide scholarships to students from diverse backgrounds, therefore the baccalaureate program choose to commemorate its 60 years of existence by hosting a Gala that will fund scholarships for its undergraduate students," said Trina Gipson-Jones, Chairperson of the 60th Anniversary Steering Committee.

The Gala will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the baccalaureate nursing program at Hampton University. Nursing education at Hampton University dates back to 1891 when the Hampton Training School for Nurses was started on campus. In 1944, the Division of Nurse Education was established, creating the first baccalaureate nursing program in Virginia. In 1976, the nursing master’s degree program was created, the first at a historically black college or university. In 1999, the Ph.D. in nursing program was initiated, also the first of its kind at a historically black college or university.

The public is invited to come out and support local nurses and nursing education. The cost for the Gala is $60, which includes dinner and live entertainment provided by the Hampton University Jazz Combo. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the School of Nursing at 757-727-5251.