UB Receives $2 Million Gift For Nursing Scholarships

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo School of Nursing has received a $2 million bequest from the late Nova G. Petsan that is the largest gift ever received by the school, and one of the largest gifts from an individual in the 151-year history of the university.

Both undergraduate and graduate nursing students will benefit from the Nova G. Petsan and Gustave Petsan Scholarship Fund, also named in honor of Petsan’s late husband.

A 1922 UB alumnus, Nova Petsan taught French and Latin at Niagara Falls High School from 1928-42, and was an employment counselor for the New York State Department of Labor from 1943 until her retirement in 1970. She died in March.

Dean Mecca S. Cranley said Petsan’s generosity will better position the School of Nursing to attract top-quality students.

“As student aid is getting harder to obtain, this is a great time for the school to receive so much support for student scholarships,” she added. “These scholarships will give the school a competitive edge in recruiting the best and brightest students.

“It is especially significant because this is a perpetual gift. In other words, as long as there is a School of Nursing, there will be Petsan scholarships to benefit students.”

UB President William R. Greiner praised Petsan and her support for the nursing school.

“We are deeply grateful to have enjoyed Mrs. Petsan’s confidence and support over the years, and we are honored by her bequest,” said Greiner. “Most of all, we are thankful to be able to offer new opportunities for UB nursing students for years to come.”

The gift from Petsan makes it possible for the 1922 UB alumnus to fulfill her goals to help young people, and, at the same time, assist students preparing for the nursing profession.

During the time she was an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, few women attended UB. Despite this disparity, she pursued her education and earned a bachelor’s degree from UB. She went on to receive a degree in French from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1925.

As William Broderick, Sr., her attorney and long-time friend, pointed out, Petsan firmly believed in creating opportunities for young students to enable them to achieve similar educational aspirations, which may have been the impetus for her gift to the school.

“Throughout the 20 years I knew Mrs. Petsan, she had a very strong interest in seeing her support directly aiding people,” said Broderick. “In particular, she wanted to help young people get a good start in receiving a quality education and it is something she is accomplishing with this gift.

“Because she attended UB when there were not many other women students, I think there was extra pressure for women to succeed in their studies and professions,” added Broderick. “But ensuring her support is going for scholarships is enabling Mrs. Petsan to ease the financial pressure for today’s students, and, in turn, for nursing graduates to go on to help their patients.”

An avid golfer and classical-music enthusiast, Petsan was a member of the UB Alumni Association, Niagara Falls College Club, Sigma Kappa Sorority and the Slate & Stylus Club.

A strong supporter of the nursing school, Petsan’s recent bequest brings her total giving to the school to nearly $2.25 million. A previous gift established the Gustave & Nova Petsan Fund, which brought Petsan back to UB to meet the recipients of the scholarship fund and gave her the opportunity to personally present a scholarship award to each student.

“She was an amazing lady,” said Cranley. “It was apparent that meeting the students was very important to her because she had prepared a brief speech for each scholarship recipient. She encouraged the students to receive a good education and to continue doing good for others.”

Broderick also attended the 1996 Gustave & Nova Petsan Scholarship presentations and agreed that Petsan showed great interest in meeting the students.

“From her reaction, it was very evident Mrs. Petsan was happy to meet the students. She could have selected other areas to support, but this occasion only reinforced her desire and motivation behind helping nursing students.”

The first Nova G. Petsan and Gustave Petsan Scholarship funded by the bequest is expected to be presented in Fall 1998.

For information about how you can help support the University at Buffalo, go to http://www.buffalo.edu/giving