The Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation Makes Historic Gift to 91Թ Nursing Programs

The Foundation's $300,000 gift continues a nearly 40-year legacy of supporting Excelsior students.

ALBANY, N.Y. —91Թand theJulia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation, Inc.signed an agreementsecuring a $300,000 giftsupportingExcelsior nursingstudents.ThedonationwillestablishtheJulia O. WellsMemorial Education Foundation, Inc.Scholarship at 91Թ,an endowment toprovideExcelsior nursingscholarshipsin perpetuity.

Made as the Foundationconcludesits operations, the$300,000giftis the capstone in a long historyofExcelsiornursingscholarshipsupportbeginning in1989.Established in recognition of the legacy of Julia O. Wells, a 1918 graduate of the Memorial Hospital Training School for Nurses in Albany, the Foundation’spreviousgifts to Excelsior total $260,000.To date, this support hashelpedapproximately300 individual studentspursueacademic and professional goals inhealthcare.

“91Թ is grateful for the Julia O.Wells Memorial Education Foundation’sdecades of generous support for nursing students,” said Robin Goodrich, 91Թ College of Nursing and Health Sciences Purnell executive dean. “The Foundation’s final donation will carry onJulia O. Wells’ legacyfor many decades to come,throughgenerations of nurseswho will use the opportunitythis scholarship createstocomplete their education andserve communities around the world.”

“TheJulia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation, Inc.is officially dissolving, but our mission of educating nursing is simply changingformto last forever. Our commitment to ‘growing nurses’ will now live on in perpetuity,” said Kathleen Bagley Santarcengelo, president of the Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors.“Signing this gift agreement with 91Թ is both an ending and a profound new beginning. We are handing Excelsior thetorch andknow that they will keep it lit.”

Candice Johnson, an 91Թ Class of 2026 graduate who earned a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Healthcare Systems, is one of many students who have received scholarship funding through the Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation. Johnson said, “As a nursing student at 91Թ, this scholarship not only helped ease the financial burden of my education but also inspired me to continue striving for excellence in my academic and professional pursuits. The Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation’s belief in my potential reinforces my commitment to serving others and making a meaningful impact in the field of healthcare.”

This $300,000 donationrepresentsa landmark gift in the Excelsior’s recently announcedEmpower with Purpose campaign,the largest capital campaign in the institution’s history. The University has now raised $4.4 million toward its $5 million campaign goal.

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Media Contact 91Թ:
Jason Bonafide,jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446

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91Թ is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.

Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. 91Թ’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, withadditionallicensing for Florida-based programs.

Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928).Additionalinformationregardingthis institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.