Columbia Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Establish Scholarship Fund at Claflin University

Columbia Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Establish Scholarship Fund at Claflin University

A group of distinguished Black alumnae from the former Columbia Hospital School of Nursing visited Claflin University on May 6 to establish the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association Nurse Scholarship Endowment, creating a lasting legacy to support future generations of nursing students pursuing degrees at the University.

The new scholarship fund reflects the enduring commitment of the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association (CHSNAA) to advancing educational opportunity and honoring the pioneering Black nurses who helped shape healthcare in South Carolina during an era of segregation and limited access to professional training.

Founded in 1935, the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing was among the only educational pathways available for aspiring Black nurses in the Midlands region of South Carolina. The school's first 10 Black nurses graduated in 1938, and the alumnae association was formally established in 1941 to foster fellowship and support nursing education. Over the decades, the organization has maintained a strong tradition of service, scholarship support, and preservation of the school's history and contributions.

"The establishment of this scholarship fund is a meaningful investment in the future of healthcare and in the next generation of compassionate nursing leaders," said Willie Jude II, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. "We are deeply honored that the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association has chosen Claflin University as a partner in preserving this extraordinary legacy of perseverance, excellence, and service."

The alumnae association has long been committed to preserving the history of Black nurses educated through the Columbia Hospital program. In 2020, members led efforts to unveil a historical marker commemorating the former Black Columbia Hospital Unit at Harden and Washington streets in Columbia. The marker honors the more than 400 Black nurses who graduated from the program and recognizes their contributions to healthcare and their communities throughout South Carolina and beyond.

"This scholarship ensures that the spirit and determination of these trailblazing nurses will continue to inspire future generations," said Jettiva S. Belton, President of the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association and a member of the school's final graduating class in 1965. "We are proud to support students who will carry forward the profession with the same compassion, integrity, and commitment to service that defined our nursing community."

To contribute to this scholarship fund, please send checks made payable to Claflin University to 400 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115 and include CHSNAA on the memo line or make gift online at https://alumni.claflin.edu/the-chsnaa-esf. To establish a new endowed scholarship fund at Claflin University, please email Willie Jude II, [email protected].

Photo (from left): Willie Jude II, Claflin University Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and Ms. Jettiva Belton, President of the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association