School of Nursing receives $2 million to launch undergraduate scholarship program

The Clemson University School of Nursing has received a $2 million contribution from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF to establish the Joanne and William Conway Nursing Scholarship program to support the undergraduate nursing education of students from communities across South Carolina.

The program will provide scholarship support for undergraduate nursing students and advance the Bedford Falls Foundation’s mission to remove barriers to a high-quality nursing education and address the critical nursing workforce shortage.

Established by Bill Conway and his late wife, Joanne Barkett Conway, the Bedford Falls Foundation, and its associated donor advised fund, focuses its philanthropy on supporting nursing education. The contribution to Clemson University will enable its School of Nursing to provide scholarship assistance to 118 Conway Scholars for the next four years. Clemson University is the first recipient of Bedford Falls funding in South Carolina.

Leslie Hossfeld, dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS), said the mission of the Bedford Falls Foundation is in direct alignment with the College’s mission to build people and communities – and this generous contribution will make a positive difference in the lives of current and future Clemson nursing students and South Carolina communities facing nursing workforce shortages.

“We are immensely grateful to Bill and Joanne Conway for their commitment to academic excellence, student success and nursing workforce development in our region,” said Hossfeld. “This gift will allow us to continue to deliver the number one student experience and transform lives statewide and beyond by alleviating students’ financial pressures and establishing pathways to rigorous academic and clinical training for all students.”

In addition to scholarship assistance, Conway Scholars will have access to a student success coach to support their academic journey through mentoring and coaching.

“The School of Nursing is honored to receive this transformative gift from Bedford Falls, and we are thankful for Mr. and Mrs. Conway’s investment in both high-quality education and high-quality health care across our region,” said John Whitcomb, director and chief academic officer of the School of Nursing. “The Clemson School of Nursing is a leader among nursing programs nationwide, and this contribution will reduce educational barriers and strengthen the nursing pipeline for South Carolina communities.”

Since its inception in 1965, the School of Nursing has grown to include two instruction sites – one on Clemson’s main campus and one on Prisma Health’s Greenville campus. The program expanded to increase enrollment by 100 students in 2018 and will increase enrollment by 100 more students during the Fall 2027 semester. The School fosters a culture of connectivity, collaboration and creativity among faculty, staff and students and remains committed to academic excellence in nursing and health care, supporting students through their transition from academic training to clinical practice.

“Access to a quality nursing education allows students to become skilled professionals, improving their lives as well as the health and well-being of the communities they serve,” said Conway. “I am excited to partner with the Clemson University School of Nursing to support the next generation of nurses in South Carolina.”

The School of Nursing is a part of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in nine disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.