When Davina Gosnell first came to 黑料网 in 1979, she planned to only stay for a few years to work with the founding dean of the nursing program, Linnea Henderson, whom she greatly admired. But the best laid plans do change, and Davina ended up as a faculty member at Kent State for 25 years, eventually being named dean of the College of Nursing herself.
鈥淭here were so many opportunities to do a lot of unique things,鈥� says Davina. 鈥淲e started a master鈥檚 program, then a doctoral program and expanded the nursing degrees at the regional campuses from two years to four. Those kinds of opportunities don鈥檛 come along too often.鈥�
Her many years at Kent State enabled Davina to see and appreciate the great potential in the diverse range of students who study here.
鈥淜ent is home to an array of students, but most are from working, middle class families who don鈥檛 always have the resources to put into an education,鈥� she says. 鈥淪ome have to work in addition to going to school. Some are married and have families, too. So, however we can provide the resources to help them, we need to do just that.鈥�
Davina established the Dean Davina J. Gosnell Endowed Nursing Scholarship, which benefits students enrolled in clinical courses who can demonstrate both academic merit and financial need. Davina herself benefited from scholarships when she was a college student, so she understands how much they help.
鈥淭hose of us who have benefited from scholarships in our lives have the responsibility to pay it forward,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e obliged to do that when we have the means to do so.鈥�
She has also designated the college in her estate plans.
Davina knows what a unique position faculty and staff are in to see the daily reality of what students go through to earn their education.
鈥淜ent State, being a large public institution, is unique in the diversity of its student body, but it means that there are many students who struggle with the costs involved,鈥� says Davina. 鈥淲hen we can provide the resources to help them, scholarships can鈥檛 do the whole job, but they sure do help. And you don鈥檛 have to be rich or famous to make a difference.鈥�
You can make a difference in the future of Kent State students with a provision in your estate plan. Visit /legacy or call 330-672-1000 to learn how your deferred gift can help future students.
Read more about the impact of giving to Kent State.
