Davis Hospital Foundation Reaffirms Commitment to Gardner-Webb Hunt School of Nursing

For More than Three Decades, Foundation Has Provided Scholarships and Operational Funding

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The James W. Davis Hospital Foundation Inc., of Statesville, N.C., is a longtime supporter of the Gardner-Webb University Hunt School of Nursing (HSON). For more than 30 years, the Foundation has provided funding for scholarships and operations.

Recently, administrators of the Foundation reaffirmed the agreement with Gardner-Webb, pledging their continued support to the University.

“The Davis Foundation is making a profound and positive difference in the lives of our nursing students and, by extension, in the quality of healthcare in our region,” affirmed Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs. “We remain grateful for this important partnership, and we know that through wise stewardship we will together be serving the needs of our community for years to come.”

The Foundation’s partnership with GWU began in 1982 when the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) completion program was made possible by a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Trust, the Davis Trust, and Waggoner Foundation of Statesville. The RN-BSN Completion program was originally located on the Boiling Springs campus and at the former Davis Hospital School of Nursing facility in Statesville.

In the 1990s, the RN-BSN completion program was expanded to the Boiling Springs campus, and moved completely online in 2009. The program was named the Davis Nursing Program in 1995 after becoming affiliated with the Davis Hospital Foundation. In 2015, the Statesville Campus closed, and all nursing programs began operating from the Boiling Springs campus.

Gardner-Webb and the Foundation continue to share the common goal of improving the level of nursing care in Iredell, Alexander, and Wilkes counties in North Carolina. The Davis RN-BSN Program is still operational entirely online, and the Davis Foundation supports student scholarships for the RN-BSN and MSN programs. To be eligible for a James W. Davis Foundation scholarship, a nurse must be a resident of or employed in one of those counties. In addition to the funds for scholarships, the Davis Foundation provides annual operational support to the program.

Dean of the College of Health Sciences and professor Dr. Nicole Waters noted the Hunt School of Nursing’s gratitude for the James W. Davis Foundation Inc. and its decades of unwavering support for the Davis RN-BSN program. “Their generous funding of student scholarships for both RN-BSN and MSN students has played a crucial role in advancing countless nurses’ careers, helping them meet the evolving needs of healthcare organizations,” Waters noted. “Additionally, their continued investment in our operating budget guarantees that our programs have the essential resources to educate and support our students effectively.”

The Hunt School of Nursing offers one of the most comprehensive nursing programs in North Carolina. The full spectrum of nursing degrees—from ASN to Doctor of Nursing Practice—allows students to progress seamlessly to achieve their career and educational goals. GWU maintains productive partnerships with community healthcare facilities, providing students with valuable opportunities for service learning. Students learn about patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.