New Gift from Conways’ Bedford Falls Foundation Expands Support for Nursing Students

November 6, 2024

Authored by:

Kristen Steele Hatcher

Celebrated philanthropist William E. "Bill" Conway Jr. has a passion for helping student veterans rapidly enter the civilian workforce as nurses after their military service.

His latest gift to the George Washington University School of Nursing (GW Nursing) extends the William and Joanne Conway Transitioning Warriors Nursing Scholarship Initiative, first established with a $2.5 million gift from Conway and his late wife, Joanne, in 2020.

Now, his new $3.75 million gift provides for $3 million in financial assistance for more "Conway Transitioning Warriors" and $750,000 in scholarships for GW's new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)Degree Completion Program.

"Our nation is facing a critical nursing shortage, and we are looking for ways to help nursing schools graduate more highly qualified nurses in less time," Conway said. "I hope these students are able to graduate with little to no debt, enabling them to better support themselves and their families when they graduate."

Through their Bedford Falls Foundation, the Conways have supported several nursing schools, but GW Nursing-which Conway calls "my veteran school"-is the only institution where their philanthropy targets support for military-affiliated students.

"It was a great feeling when I found out I got the scholarship," said U.S. Air National Guard airman and Conway Transitioning Warrior Elizabeth Kovacich, B.S.N. '23, now a critical care nurse. "It felt like someone was saying, 'We see how hard you're working and how much you will continue to do.' It felt like the highest praise. It meant so much."

Each year, Conway meets with scholarship recipients at GW Nursing on GW's Virginia Science and Technology campus in Ashburn, Va. "Meeting the nursing students is always the best part of any campus visit," he said. "Each student has a unique story, and I find them truly inspirational."

The Conways' catalyst for supporting nursing education came after Bill Conway famously asked The Washington Post readers to send him suggestions for giving away $1 billion during his lifetime. He received more than 2,500 responses.

"The best of these ideas was investing in the ability of people to become nurses-and that's what I chose," Conway said. "My wife, Joanne, really had a lot to do with that. She said people who have nursing degrees are needed and can get jobs. It was that simple."

GW President Ellen M. Granberg praised the Conways' dedication to supporting veterans and nursing education. "GW has long been a school of choice for veterans," she said, noting that the first G.I. Bill recipient attended GW in the 1940s. "We are honored to support those who have served our country as they pursue new paths of service in communities nationwide.

"Today GW has one of the largest military-affiliated student populations of any U.S. private university, and we offer comprehensive, dedicated student servicestailored for these students' unique needs," she said. "We are extremely grateful for the Conways' generosity, support, and continued partnership."

Military veterans' educational benefits may fall short of the full cost of their degree, noted Donna Arbide, GW's vice president for Development and Alumni Affairs. Scholarships provide critical financial assistance.

"Because I grew up in a military family, I understand firsthand just how much the Conways' scholarship support means to this group in particular," she said. "I am especially thankful that the Conways chose the nursing field, which has such critical impact on society and a high need for more qualified professionals."

The Conways have been faithful supporters of GW's innovative approach to nursing education, said GW Nursing Dean Susan Kelly-Weeder.

"Mr. Conway's new gift provides opportunities for even more students to graduate ready to enter the strong nursing job market," she said. "I am grateful for his generosity to help future nurses serve our nation as highly trained, compassionate health care professionals."

Gifts to GW Nursing support scholarshipand innovation that educates the next generation of compassionate, highly-trained nursing professionals.