On Friday, October 4, 2024, Saint Anselm College announced the Campaign for the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Grappone Hall.
“Tonight marks the beginning of this next transformative chapter in Saint Anselm’s history, only made possible through the support and generosity of many here tonight,” said F. Joseph Loughrey, chair, board of trustees.
Through its ambitious $40 million goal, the Campaign will support the construction of Grappone Hall ($32 million) as well as scholarships and programs ($8 million). Grappone Hall will be the home of the newly-formed Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. The school, is currently made up of the undergraduate nursing, community and public health, and health sciences programs.
“With rising healthcare costs, workforce shortages, and increasing demands on our healthcare facilities, the need for skilled graduates to take on these challenges has never been greater,” said Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., president, Saint Anselm College. “As we have done before, Saint Anselm College is prepared to bring the next generation of healthcare leaders into our communities.”
The new building will provide students with the newest lab technology and simulation experiences to prepare them for the evolving challenges in healthcare. This will include spaces to bring students together to build community, to welcome healthcare leaders and community partners from all disciplines to collaborate on local and global healthcare issues, and to develop new graduate programs in the most-needed nursing and health science specialties.
“I ask you to envision with me – the activity and energy in this building in just one year. Our interprofessional healthcare students, along with their peers will be enjoying our beautiful Atrium, day and evening. Students will work collaboratively across tables in a state-of-the-art auditorium,” described Diane Uzarski, inaugural dean, Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences. “Every space from front to back of this beautiful 45,000 sq foot space will allow us to transform the way we are doing nursing and health professions education - to enhance the student experience -and grow our prominence in the region - in our unique Anselmian way. And yes, we can and will maintain our beloved identity here, that we are so proud of.”
More than $29.8 million has been committed towards the goal including: a lead gift of $10 million from Roger ’70 HD’06 and Francine Jean to name the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, a lead gift of $5 million from Beverly and Robert Grappone P’04 HD ’21 to name the new home for the school, $4.7 million in congressional funding courtesy of New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen and N.H. Congressman Christopher Pappas, a $2.5 million gift from the Flatley Foundation to support preceptorships for nursing students from Catholic High Schools and to establish the Mother Teresa Fund for Catholic Healthcare Education, an anonymous $2 million gift from a member of the board trustees, and an anonymous foundation gift of $1,000,000 that includes the creation of a new Technology Maintenance Fund for the Jean School.
“We approached our support from the student perspective, considering how we could contribute to what would be truly important to future generations looking to attend Saint Anselm,” explained Roger E. Jean ’70 HD’17, campaign chair and trustee. “This is an investment that will bring the College to the next level and will ensure we have a path for great success.”
The campaign officially launched at an event on Friday evening on the Alumni Quad. Before the celebration, students, faculty, and members of the community attended an afternoon of learning with “Jean School 101” and “AI in Healthcare: Shaping the Future of Nursing Practice and Patient Outcomes.” At the launch event, members of the campaign steering committee spoke about why they are supporting the campaign.
“Bob and I made our commitment to this project because, we believe, that Saint Anselm uniquely prepares its students to be compassionate, lifelong learners, who are prepared to provide care to all,” shared Beverly Grappone P’04 HD’21. “This world needs more Anselmian healthcare professionals who will impact healthcare locally, nationally, and across the world.”
Thank you to the members of the Presidential Commission on Nursing, the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences Building Committee, the Campaign Steering Committee, the Office of College Advancement, faculty and staff of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and members of the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Grappone Hall Celebration Committee.
Construction on Grappone Hall is underway and currently projected to be complete for the beginning of the 2025/2026 Academic Year.