FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State University (KSU) has received a transformative $400,000 donation from Richard and Anna Marie Rosen to establish the Richard and Anna Marie Rosen Nursing Scholarship Fund, which will be used to directly target the healthcare shortage in Franklin County.
The fund will provide five, renewable, merit-based scholarships annually to nursing students who commit to working at Frankfort Regional Medical Center (FRMC) or other qualified medical facilities in Franklin County after graduation, creating a direct pipeline from the classroom to community care.
“We are deeply grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Rosen for their visionary investment in our nursing students and our community’s health,” said KSU President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo. “This initiative addresses two critical needs: helping students achieve their educational dreams while ensuring our local healthcare system has skilled healthcare professionals for years to come.”
The scholarship fund comes at a crucial time when nursing shortages have reached critical levels nationwide. KSU’s nursing program – the University’s largest and fastest-growing academic program – is well-positioned to help solve this challenge.
Students pursuing either a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) degree or a four- year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree will be eligible for the merit-based awards.
“The pandemic opened our eyes to how critically important nurses are to our community’s wellbeing,” said donor Richard Rosen. “These scholarships aren’t just financial aid – they’re an investment in Franklin County’s future. I trust KSU to select the best and brightest candidates who will use their knowledge and skills to help create a healthier Franklin County.”
Dr. John Ballard, CEO for FRMC, commended the Rosens for their vision. “I look forward to working with KSU and having its students complete their clinical rotations here at FRMC.”
President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Dr. Aaron Thompson, expressed his excitement for this initiative. “I am delighted to see higher education, healthcare officials, and community leaders coming together to create a workforce development pipeline for Kentucky nurses. This partnership will help to promote a healthier future for the Commonwealth.”
Dr. Mary Ellen Broaddus, Administrator of KSU’s Nursing Program, emphasized the fund’s dual impact: “Mr. and Mrs. Rosen’s generous gift will enable the School of Nursing to provide additional students the opportunity to realize their dream of becoming a nurse, while simultaneously enhancing the quality of care provided in our local community. It’s a win-win that will benefit Franklin County for generations to come.”
For more information about KSU’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences visit the webpage, email [email protected], or call (502) 597-5957.
Kentucky State University is a public, comprehensive, historically Black land-grant university committed to advancing the Commonwealth of Kentucky, enhancing society, and impacting individuals by providing quality teaching with a foundation in liberal studies, scholarly research, and public service to enable productive lives within the diverse global economy.
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