HMP Nursing Makes Major Gift Commitments to College of Nursing
Mon, 08/04/2014 - 09:48am | By: Van Arnold
As an illustration of its continued support for the nursing program at The University of Southern Mississippi, HMP Nursing Services Inc., of Hattiesburg recently made generous gift commitments totaling $125,000 to be used toward the University's Nursing Building Campaign and to endow an academic scholarship.
“HMP Nursing is proud of USM and its many accomplishments. The new College of Nursing Building is just an example of the growth and prosperity of the University,” said HMP Nursing Services Director Jay Slaughter. “We realized the building that is in place at this time can no longer provide the requirements needed for a quality education.”
The gift commitments will include $100,000 for the Nursing Building Campaign and $25,000 to establish a scholarship in the name of HMP Nursing founders and owners Mike and Janet McElroy. Requirements to receive the new scholarship include a 3.0 grade point average; Mississippi residency, and financial need.
“Our family realizes the importance of continuing education through the College of Nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi,” said Janet McElroy. “The quality of nursing graduates plays a vital role in both the Hattiesburg community and surrounding areas. It is a great honor for our family to support the University.”
Slaughter emphasized the importance of HMP Nursing's relationship with the University, noting that the company employs a large number of Southern Miss graduates.
“HMP is committed to continued education for our employees and the community at large,” said Slaughter. “Scholarships have been offered on the community college level for more than a decade. We are pleased to start the university level with USM.”
In January, 2012 the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation announced an $8 million fundraising campaign to construct a new facility for the University's College of Nursing. The campaign was kick-started with a $4 million gift from the Asbury Foundation of Hattiesburg – a gift that will name the building Asbury Hall.
The state-of-the-art facility, which will be located on the western edge of the Hattiesburg campus, will increase the square footage dedicated to the College of Nursing by 135 percent, providing much-needed space for faculty and students and replacing a facility that can no longer meet the requirements of nursing education.
With HMP Nursing's gift commitment, the University's Nursing Building Campaign has accumulated approximately $5.7 million of the $8 million goal in private funds.
Dr. Katherine Nugent, professor and Dean of the College of Nursing at Southern Miss, said the gift commitments from HMP Nursing Services demonstrate the cohesive bond that exists between the University and business entities in the Pine Belt.
“As a result of this funding, a large classroom in the new building will be named for the McElroy Family and HMP Nursing Services,” said Nugent. “The new building will allow us to develop new programs, expand enrollment, and increase opportunities to partner with the Hattiesburg community.”
HMP Nursing Services, Inc., has served the healthcare industry throughout South Mississippi for more than 15 years. HMP Nursing Services, Inc. offers services that are tailored to meet the needs of individual patients within a medical facility or at home. All services are rendered by experienced personnel and are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
To learn more about the Southern Miss Nursing Building Campaign, contact the USM Foundation at 601.266.5210 or visit: www.usmfoundation.com