A united vision

The single largest gift to The Campaign for UC Davis, a $100 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, did more than create a new School of Nursing at UC Davis: it inspired a vibrant culture of philanthropy among the school’s students.

Since the school opened in 2009, 100 percent of every single class has made gifts at enrollment and upon graduation. The gifts started with the inaugural class which announced at the welcoming ceremony that students had collectively raised $47,000 to start a scholarship fund to help future students pay for a nursing education. The fund value currently exceeds $129,000.

“I think it just shows the love, dedication and care that the faculty and the staff showed us from day one,” said Kristen Connor, who is a clinical resource nurse in the UC Davis Medical Center Emergency Department. “It really set the tone. We felt valued from the moment we set foot in the program. And that really makes a difference.”

The students and alumni of the School of Nursing give back to show their support for the school and Betty Irene Moore’s united vision to transform health care through nursing leadership, education and research and to invest in the success of the school and its future students.

“The culture of philanthropy is alive and well at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, and it is thrilling that our students continue to lead by example," said Sallie Grace Tate, the school’s assistant dean for development.

Chancellor Linda Katehi also expressed pride over the generosity of the student community. “This is a wonderful example of the spirit of gratitude and selflessness that is at the heart of this campus,” she said.