Gunns' Gift Launches Expansion of Health Sciences
Carol and Robert Gunn have pledged $5 million to be used in expansions of two academic colleges at Midwestern State University. The gift will benefit both the College of Health Sciences and Human Services and the College of Science and Mathematics.
"Carol and I recognize the increasing demand for medical care as the United States population ages and a pending shortage of medical care professionals is becoming apparent," said Gunn. "We further recognize that adequate medical care will depend more on the work of highly educated, allied-health professionals such as registered nurses, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, and other health science professionals."
Majors in health science have been popular choices for MSU students since the introduction of an associate's degree in nursing in the late 1960s. Today, almost 38 percent of all students are enrolled in one of the programs offered by the college. As the demand for health professionals continues to grow, so too does the need to expand these programs.
"Our gift is in recognition of Midwestern State University's outstanding College of Health Sciences and Human Services and the fact that qualified students have to wait to enter programs in this college owing to the shortage of faculty and equipment," said Gunn.
The first four years of the five-year commitment will expand the size and quality of programs in nursing, radiologic science, respiratory care, and dental hygiene with additional faculty positions, salary adjustments, equipment, and an endowment. The final year of the pledge will establish an endowment for the College of Science and Mathematics.
The Gunns' involvement with the university through the years has been influential in the development of Midwestern State. Carol earned both her BBA and MBA from the university and has continued her involvement with MSU through her appointment to the MSU Board of Regents, serving as Chairman of the Board from 2010-2012, and through her current memberships on the MSU Foundation Board of Trustees and the Dillard College of Business Administration Community Advisory Board.
Robert is a member of the President's Excellence Circle at MSU, where he is currently co-chair of this year's campaign, and is a member of the Geology Advisory Committee. Both have served the Wichita Falls community through numerous civic organizations such as the Boys' and Girls' Clubs of Wichita Falls, United Regional Health Care Center, Community Healthcare Center, North Texas Area United Way, and North Texas Rehab Center.
"We are delighted that Carol and Bob continue to invest in Midwestern State," said MSU President Jesse W. Rogers. "Their contributions to this university will benefit our students and academic programs for years to come as well as provide for a well-educated and well-prepared work force."