Emporia State University’s nursing department has received a historic gift as part of ESU’s reinvestment for the future initiative.
It was announced Monday that Walter S and Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust has awarded a grant of $5 million to assist in the construction of ESU’s new nursing and student wellness building. The donation is the largest single gift in the university’s history.
Greg Bachman of the Jones Trust Advisory Committee says in a news release, “Participation in this project allows the Trust to support the mission of improving health care and education in Coffey, Lyon and Osage counties.” Emporia State Foundation President Shane Shively stated in the same release, “Emporia State is grateful for the Jones Trust’s longstanding support and their commitment to building and strengthening communities through education and healthcare-focused investment.”
The announcement comes a little less than two weeks after the ESU Foundation announced it was investing an additional $3 million in unrestricted funding over the next three years to assist a variety of projects connected to the university’s reinvestment for the future initiative. Additionally, ESU has also received almost $11 million in state funding thanks to the work of Kansas lawmakers including $9 million in base aid.
