September 18, 2017
East Texas Baptist University has made significant strides in its campaign to move the School of Nursing to the Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall, Texas. Since Fall 2016, the University has been raising funds to renovate two floors of the historic building, offering faculty and staff of the School of Nursing new space to equip aspiring nurses with the skills, experience, and confidence to effectively address patient health care needs.
The renovation will allow ETBU to educate additional nurses to help meet the growing need for health care professionals throughout the region. The project will also include a high-fidelity, state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab, in which students will gain hands-on experience by learning with patient simulators.
"We see the move to the Marshall Grand as a wonderful opportunity to grow our program, while providing needed resources for our students. Ultimately, this impacts health care practice in our community, the East Texas region, or wherever our students go as they serve Christ as nurse professionals," ETBU Dean of the School of Nursing Rebekah Grigsby said. "This new space will provide an innovative environment to accomplish the mission of our school. We are grateful to all who have already contributed to our campaign and have faith that we will reach our funding goal."
In January 2017, East Texas Baptist received a $400,000 challenge grant from the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation of Oklahoma. With a total project budget of $2.2 million, ETBU must raise the $1.8 million by January of 2018 to receive the challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation.
Currently, the University has raised $1,339,443 in gifts and pledges from individuals, foundations, and businesses. ETBU representatives are visiting with friends and alumni in order to successfully complete this project by raising the remaining $471,936.
"We are thrilled with the response that we have received from alumni, friends, foundations, and community members to our School of Nursing campaign," ETBU Vice President for Advancement Scott Bryant said. "Relocating the School of Nursing to the Marshall Grand will provide us the additional space needed, so we can train more nurses to help meet the growing need for trained medical personnel in our state and region."
To contribute to the project, visit schoolofnursing. To learn more about the campaign, please contact the Office of Advancement at 903.923.2071.