CAPSTONE COLLEGE OF NURSING
The generosity of our alumni, friends and community partners is transforming the future of
nursing education at The University of Alabama. Together, we are creating greater access to
scholarships, investing in experiential learning, supporting world-class faculty and
advancing immersive training experiences that prepare the next generation of nurse leaders
to serve communities across Alabama and beyond.
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
At the Capstone College of Nursing, we educate the best and brightest students, developing them into the region's most competent and compassionate nurses. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, alumni, community partners and friends, the College is stronger than ever and better positioned to prepare the nurse leaders of tomorrow.
Your support can be seen across our College. Our students graduate ready to succeed in their careers and make a difference in the lives of patients, families and communities. Health care organizations know that when they hire a CCN graduate, they are adding a qualified, confident and compassionate nurse to their team. As a result, patients across Alabama and beyond benefit from exceptional care provided by our alumni.
As we celebrate the success of The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign and the transformational investments made in the College, we are already looking ahead. Together, we have expanded opportunities for students, strengthened academic programs and enhanced our ability to meet the growing health care needs of our communities.
I invite you to continue partnering with the College as we build on this momentum and pursue new opportunities to advance nursing education, support student success and address critical workforce needs. Your continued investment helps ensure that the Capstone College of Nursing remains a leader in preparing the next generation of health care professionals.
Thank you for your support, and Roll Tide!
Julie T. Sanford, PhD, N, ANEF, FAAN
Dean
Capstone College of Nursing
THE MOMENTUM WE BUILT
$21.3M
TOTAL RAISED
47
NEW ENDOWED
SCHOLARSHIPS
3
NEW FACULTY
SUPPORT ENDOWMENTS
THE IMPACT OF RISING TOGETHER
STRONGER TOGETHER
Bedford Falls Foundation’s First Gift in Alabama Fuels UA Nursing Growth
For many, the path to a nursing degree is shaped not only by interest or ability, but by the resources available to them. Scholarship support plays a critical role in making those opportunities possible.
At the Capstone College of Nursing, a new partnership with the Bedford Falls Foundation is helping expand that access. The Bedford Falls Foundation-Donor Advised Fund is investing more than $1.5 million over five years to support scholarships and student success initiatives at the College. The gift will fund approximately 60 scholarships each year for in-state students enrolled in the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
“We are pleased to support students at the University of Alabama,” said Bill Conway Jr., who established the Bedford Falls Foundation and Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF, along with his late wife, Joanne Barkett Conway. “The nursing shortage is critical. If we can play even a small part in addressing this need by supporting future nurses, then we are proud to do so.”
The Bedford Falls Foundation prioritizes nursing education as a powerful way to create opportunities for stable, gainful and personally fulfilling employment. At CCN, that support comes at a time of continued growth. As the College expands its enrollment and capacity, this funding will create opportunities for aspiring nurses across the state, helping ensure Alabama students can access a top-tier education, regardless of financial barriers.
“Bedford Falls Foundation’s extraordinary commitment marks a historic moment for both our college and the state of Alabama, as this is the first funding the foundation has provided within the state,” said Dean Sanford.
“Their investment strengthens our mission to prepare highly skilled nurses who will serve communities across Alabama and beyond.”
The College’s strong outcomes reflect that preparation as NCLEX pass rates continue to exceed national averages. As the College continues to grow, partnerships like this play an important role in shaping who has access to nursing education.
For students, that support can make the difference in pursuing and completing a degree. For communities, it helps ensure a stronger, more stable health care workforce in the years ahead. Together, these efforts reflect a shared focus on opportunity, access and the long-term needs of the state.
INVESTING IN NURSE LEADERS
Chambliss Family Establishes Endowed Professorship in Nursing Leadership at UA
When Joe and Gerrie Chambliss and their family established the Chambliss Family Endowed Professorship in Nursing Leadership at The University of Alabama, they sought to create opportunities that would extend far beyond campus.
The creation of this professorship bolsters the College's ability to prepare nurses ready to lead in an evolving health care environment, expand leadership education and strengthen partnerships across the health care community. For Dr. Teresa Welch, the endowment has created new opportunities to elevate leadership as a core component of nursing education.
"Being named the first Chambliss Family Endowed Professor in Nursing Leadership has significantly strengthened both my teaching and research by creating a dedicated platform to elevate leadership as a central focus in nursing education," Welch said.
The professorship has advanced efforts to integrate leadership development throughout the nursing curriculum while fostering collaboration with community and health care partners, creating opportunities for students to develop leadership skills in real-world environments.
These efforts support the Capstone College of Nursing's mission that every nurse is a leader by preparing graduates to meet the changing demands of the health care workforce. Graduates are equipped to advocate for change, mentor colleagues and contribute to stronger health care systems, ultimately improving the quality of care and patient outcomes.
"Our graduates are widely recognized for their leadership competencies and practice readiness," Welch said. "Many secure employment before graduation, with some assuming formal leadership roles within their first year of professional practice."
Beyond student preparation, the endowment has strengthened the College’s role as a resource for health care organizations and communities while serving as a catalyst for innovation in nursing leadership.
"The professorship enhances the school's position in the community by serving as a hub for collaboration, research and professional development," Welch said. "It fosters innovation, supports lifelong learning and elevates the visibility and impact of nursing leadership within the health care system."
For the Chamblisses, investing in future leaders reflects a lifelong belief in the value of mentorship and education. A successful entrepreneur whose career spans decades in the petroleum industry, Mr. Chambliss credits much of his success to mentors who helped guide his professional journey. Through philanthropy, he and his family are creating similar opportunities for future generations.
At CCN, that investment is already creating meaningful results and helping shape the future of nursing education at UA. For generations of students to come, the professorship will help ensure that graduates leave the Capstone prepared not only to provide exceptional patient care, but also to lead teams, influence change and strengthen the health care workforce.