Gift will fund scholarships and ambassadors to promote diversity in the Sinclair School of Nursing
COLUMBIA, MO — Gregory and Diane Lind, residents of Seattle, Washington, have given a gift of $122,500 to the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing (SSON). The endowed gift will create the Gregory and Diane Lind Diversity in Nursing Program. This new program will create scholarships for underrepresented minority students pursuing undergraduate degrees in nursing. Gregory Lind, an MU alumnus, says his gift is meant to help create a sense of belonging for all nursing students at MU.
“It is evident that many people are reluctant to talk about race, and even when they do, it is difficult to move into action,” Lind said. “With this gift, Diane and I hope to move beyond mere conversation into real action. The Sinclair School of Nursing has long been a place of diversity and inclusivity, and we want to help continue and expand that tradition. All students deserve a sense of belonging, to feel safe and nurtured in their educational environment; hopefully this gift will help foster that among nursing students.”
The Lind Diversity in Nursing Program will provide financial awards for underrepresented minority nursing students who complete a two-credit elective course on academic success as well as provide annual stipends to student ambassadors to serve as coaches and mentors for underrepresented minority nursing students. The programs and scholarships will be offered beginning in the spring 2016 semester. Judith Miller, dean of the MU Sinclair School of nursing, says this gift will help support increased diversity within the SSON.
“Enhancing diversity is one of the core values of the Sinclair School of Nursing,” Miller said. “This program will provide financial assistance, support with implementing an academic success course as well as funding for diverse student ambassadors who will provide ongoing student mentoring. The Linds have a long-standing commitment to the Sinclair School of Nursing. We are thrilled and so grateful for their support.”
Gregory Lind graduated from the University of Missouri with a master’s degree in nursing in 1980. He has been an active member of the Sinclair School of Nursing Dean’s Advisory Council and the SSON Capital Campaign Steering Committee and received a Citation of Merit award from the SSON in 2010. As an advanced registered nurse practitioner, Lind begin his own primary care-based, walk-in clinic in 1990, which currently serves 70-90 patients a day. He also provides wellness exams for firefighters at Snohomish County Fire District 1 in Everett, Wash.
