Gift from Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation Establishes Endowed Nursing Scholarship at Empire State University
Empire State University has received a $318,000 gift from the Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation, Inc. The funding establishes the Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation Endowed Nursing Scholarship for nursing students at the university.
The Julia O. Wells Foundation has supported scholarships for SUNY Empire nursing students since 2011. The foundation, which is dissolving and distributing its assets to area colleges, has now opted to establish an endowed fund so the scholarship can support students in perpetuity.
The gift comes at a time when the state is experiencing a severe shortage of nurses. According to the Healthcare Association of New York State, 97% of New York hospitals reported a shortage of nurses in 2024. Projections from the New York State Department of Labor, meanwhile, show more than 17,000 annual openings for registered nurses between 2022 and 2032.
“This extraordinary gift reflects the enduring power of philanthropy to change students’ lives and strengthen the communities we serve,” said Amanda Sbriscia, vice president for advancement and executive director of the Empire State University Foundation. “We are deeply honored that the Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation has entrusted Empire with carrying forward Julia’s legacy. Through this endowed scholarship, its remarkable commitment to ‘growing nurses’ will continue for generations, opening doors for our students and helping address a critical need across New York.”
“The Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation Endowed Nursing Scholarship represents a meaningful investment in both our students and the communities they will serve. By reducing financial barriers, this scholarship will help nursing students remain focused on completing their education and entering the profession at a time when New York continues to face a critical need for highly skilled nurses,” said Carol DeNysschen, dean of SUNY Empire’s College of Health and Human Services. “We are deeply grateful to the Julia O. Wells Foundation, for its generosity and for recognizing that supporting nursing education strengthens the healthcare workforce and improves the health and well-being of communities.”
“This is a deeply meaningful moment for myself and my Julia O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation, Inc. board members. For decades, our focus has been entirely on investing in nurses—the backbone of our healthcare system. While it’s time to close the chapter on the foundation itself, we are ensuring that Julia’s spirit and our commitment to ‘growing nurses’ will live on in perpetuity by creating this endowed scholarship,” said Kathleen Santarcangelo, president of the foundation. “This moment represents a passing of the torch. We are placing Julia’s legacy into the hands of SUNY Empire. We are happy to partner with Empire to support the next generation of nurses. We look forward to the incredible impact these students will make in the nursing profession and in their communities.”