Spring 2012 - Lourdes College

campus news briefsRecord-breaking giftsLourdes celebrated two milestones during the fall semester – the firstever million dollar gifts from an individual and an organization.The ProMedica Flower Hospital/McKesson Memorial Fund donated$1 million over a 10 year period towards the establishment of anendowed scholarship fund for the Lourdes Master of Science inNursing: Nurse Anesthesia Program. Funds will be allocated to studentscholarships, continuing education in the field of anesthesia, staffdevelopment, direct support for the program and the creation of alecture series.Elmer I. McKesson, MD, was a consulting anesthesiologist at FlowerHospital until his death in 1935 and was known throughout the worldas a scientist, physician, educator and inventor. The McKesson MemorialFund was established for the perpetual research, education and studyof anesthesia.During the annual State of the University Address, President BobHelmer, PhD, announced the institution’s first individual million dollargift given by friend and Board of Trustees member Russell J. Ebeid. “Weare so thankful to Russ for his support of Lourdes,” offered Dr. Helmer.“Our students have already benefitted greatly from the Ebeid StudentCenter named in his honor and now will further benefit from theservices and activities offered in Lourdes’ new athletic center.”Top awards receivedLourdes University once againreceived high praise fromThe Princeton Review and GIJobs magazine. The PrincetonReview, nationally knownfor its test preparation andadmissions services,named Lourdesone of its 2012Best Collegesin theMidwestfor theeighthconsecutiveyear. Theselection wasbased on reviews and feedbackfrom Lourdes students.For the third consecutive year,Lourdes was also named amongthe list of Military FriendlySchools® by GI Jobs magazine,the premier publication formilitary transitioners. Accordingto GI Jobs, Lourdes ranked “inthe top 15% of all colleges,universities and trade schoolsnationwide.” As a MilitaryFriendly campus, Lourdesparticipates in the Yellow RibbonGI Education EnhancementProgram and offers a VeteransCenter and several scholarshipsfor servicemen and women.Mr. Ebeid, whose granddaughter Kristina (BA, Business Administration,Health Care Administration) graduated from Lourdes in 2007, shared afew words about his support of the institution and the strong connectionbetween athletics and academics in helping students be competitivein today’s market. He concluded with his only request as benefactor ofthe athletic center, stating lightheartedly, “I only ask that I be allowed tothrow one of the first basketballs during the inaugural game so that Imight finally accomplish my college ambition of being a student athlete!”52 ATLOURDES MAGAZINE | Spring 2012