The E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust has granted $500,000 to Averett University for its expanded health sciences initiative. This follows a gift of the same amount that the Grant Trust awarded in late 2010 to the health sciences initiative. The trust has a history of generously supporting Averett. Since 1993, the Grant Trust has donated more than $13 million to the University. This gift brings the total donations to the expanded health sciences initiative at Averett to more than $2.6 million.
"The Grant Trust, with its gifts of $1 million over the last two years, is a critical partner in ensuring that Averett's expanded health sciences initiative features the cutting edge learning technology and talented faculty that will give our students the skills they need to transform the quality of healthcare in this region or their hometowns," said President Tiffany M. Franks. "We are deeply grateful to the Grant Trust and its trustee, American National Bank and Trust Company, for their continued investment in Averett University."
Through its expanded health sciences initiative, Averett University seeks to build on its long history of preparing its graduates for successful careers in all aspects of healthcare and responding to the needs of the job market. Averett's admissions team notes that nursing is one of the most asked about degree programs when they talk with high school students in the region. In 2011 the University hired a chair of nursing education, Dr. Mary Condon, and a nursing faculty member. Currently, work is underway at Averett's Riverview Campus on simulation labs designed to help students gain hands-on experience on high-tech mannequins, which react like real patients.
"Through our expanded health sciences initiative, Averett hopes to meet the needs of our students, and prepare graduates who will in turn improve the quality of life in our region as members of the health profession and citizens of southern Virginia," said Buddy Rawley, vice president of institutional advancement. "Our vision for the future sees Averett as a leader in revitalizing our region, and it is the generous support of community partners like the Grant Trust that will make that vision real."
