LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – The late Nancy Haggerty earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Viterbo University in 1974. Now her family is donating $1 million to Viterbo to create a new nursing scholarship in honor of her life.
Haggerty’s husband Tim says he and his daughter made the decision to make this donation to help young nursing students with their education.
“I’m interested in getting more great nurses like I’ve experienced with our ordeal over at Mayo and Nancy’s last few months. We had a great deal of very good people that, unless you’re in a position like that, you don’t appreciate. And I appreciate it,” says Tim Haggerty.
Viterbo College of Nursing and Health dean Megan Smith says the donated money will be beneficial for students’ scholarship opportunities.
“Students will use this scholarship money to support their tuition. It’s very important because our nursing students, to support their education, work long hours outside of the classroom. Having the opportunity to have these funds to supplement is very important. It helps their progression through the professional nursing sequence,” says Smith.
Smith adds that a scholarship can help ease tension for students who work outside of class.
“While certainly we promote students working and gaining that experience while their in school, to be able to alleviate some of those hours and focus more on their studies can be very helpful for them in the long run,” says Smith.
Tim Haggerty says Nancy enjoyed working as a nurse for most of her life, and she would appreciate knowing that many more students will be able to go down the same path as her.
“I remember my wife’s career, the things she did, the feelings she had for people and her patients. It’s invaluable. She enjoyed her profession, and I’m sure she’ll feel great about it,” says Tim Haggerty.
According to the university, the scholarship fund will provide a total of $50,000 a year to students pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing degree at Viterbo.