Silver Lake College receives $1 million gift for BSN program

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SLC president Dr. Chris Domes meets with Brianna Neuser, assistant dean of SLC’s School of Professional Studies, who will help lead the new BSN program.
Silver Lake College received a $1 million anonymous gift to support the launch of its new four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
 
“We greatly appreciate the generosity of this donor,” said Dr. Chris Domes, in his third year as president of Silver Lake College. “Not only are they helping to prepare high-quality nursing professionals who will serve Manitowoc County and the surrounding area, but they are also helping advance our mission as a college. We are very pleased to have this type of strong support from our community.”
 
The anonymous donor expressed confidence in Silver Lake College’s ability to respond to the nursing demand in this area, and the donor challenged the greater Manitowoc County community and Silver Lake College alumni to support the college’s efforts, as well.
 
“This lead gift is an investment not only in Silver Lake College, but the entire community,” said Marc Barbeau, the college’s vice president of advancement and external relations.
 
Silver Lake College’s board of trustees approved a proposal for the BSN program on May 22. On August 13, the Wisconsin Board of Nursing approved Silver Lake College’s request for authorization to plan a new School of Nursing. Currently, Silver Lake College personnel are developing a nursing curriculum, hiring faculty, securing clinical practicum sites and preparing for renovations to a section of the third floor in Main Hall, which is where the clinical skills and simulation labs will be based.
 
Official approval for the School of Nursing is anticipated in spring 2016, with the first group of nursing students expected to begin classes in fall 2016.
 
Silver Lake College’s short-term expenditures for the nursing program—to be raised through donor support—is expected to total about $2.6 million. Of that amount, $1.2 million is targeted for project space renovation and lab equipment.