Kunz Family Donation Creates Uintah Basin Pre-Nursing Scholarship
Celebrating the Kunz gift with, from left to right: James Y. Taylor, Howard Shorthill, Inella Kunz, Noelle Cockett and Cameron Cuch.
Sisters Ann and Inella Kunz have donated $25,000 to the Utah State University Foundation, establishing the Ann and Inella Kunz Scholarship Endowment. The gift will be invested and provide scholarships for many years to come to pre-nursing program students at USU-Uintah Basin.
“We are very grateful for this gift from Ann and Inella. Their donation will make a lasting impact for many of our students to come,” said James Taylor, USU-Uintah Basin executive director. “Over the past few years, our nursing graduates have had a 100 percent pass rate for the registered nursing licensure exam in Utah. These students are driven and we appreciate the support in in helping them finish their degree almost debt-free while fulfilling their dreams of becoming a nurse.”
Ann and Inella each became nurses while raising families. Their father and mother had limited educational opportunities, only finishing third and eighth grade respectively. Ann and Inella were first generation university students and found stability for their families through education. They have funded this scholarship to benefit students who share not only their lofty educational goals, but also their economically challenging background.
Along with being USU-Uintah Basin students enrolled in the pre-nursing program, awardees must maintain a 3.0 GPA, take a minimum of three credits per semester and preferentially be first generation students.
In addition to her monetary support, Inella plays a vital role in USU-Uintah Basin’s nursing program’s day-to-day operations. She is the campus coordinator and a professional practice assistant professor. Ann also has close ties to USU-Uintah Basin. Thanks to Ann’s donation along with several others in the community, the campus was able to add a nursing simulation lab in 2015. The lab is named “Annie’s Place” and has made positive impacts in the students’ success.
The scholarship announcement was made during this year’s commencement ceremonies. A total of 21 students received their Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and will seek licensure to become registered nurses.
This scholarship will help educate the next generation of nurses will addressing statewide nursing shortages. To view this and all available scholarships in the Uintah Basin, visit uintahbasin.usu.edu/cost.
Contact: Dana Rhoades, dana.rhoades@usu.edu, 435-722-1788
Ann and Inella Kunz (left to right) have donated $25,000 to the Utah State University Foundation.
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