While the University of Houston-Victoria is recruiting faculty and designing classes for the nursing program scheduled to begin this fall, interested community members are offering their own support. A new scholarship fund for nursing students was recently endowed by Mary Virginia and Claud Jacobs in memory of Mary Virginia’s mother, Florence Nightingale Mason.

Named after the pioneering 19th century nurse, Mason grew up admiring the healthcare profession. The untimely death of her father, however, prevented her from pursuing studies in the nursing field. Mason’s daughter Mary Virginia grew up inspired by her mother’s interest in nursing and entered the profession herself in 1966.

“We are deeply appreciative of this endowment,” said UHV President Tim Hudson. “Florence Nightingale was famous for saying feelings were better expressed in action than in words. The Jacobs’ gift is truly in this spirit, creating education opportunities out of an esteem for nursing.”

Scholarship recipients will be selected based upon their financial need and grade point average. Preference will be given to students who reside in Calhoun, Dewitt, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Refugio or Victoria counties.

This is the first scholarship fund created at UHV specifically for nursing and one of a growing number of memorial endowments. Such funds become permanent tributes to the people after whom they are named. Each year a new scholarship recipient will learn about Florence Nightingale Mason and her legacy of nursing appreciation.

To learn more about this or other endowed scholarships at UHV, contact the Office of University Advancement at (361) 570-4120.