KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 6, 2026

$1 million gift establishes enduring scholarship support for future nurses

Kennesaw State University has honored longtime donor Katherine A. Scott by naming a nursing simulation lab in recognition of her $1 million gift establishing the Katherine A. Scott Nursing Scholarship Endowment.

The Katherine Scott Simulation Lab was formally dedicated during a Sept. 9 celebration at the Wellstar School of Nursing. The space provides nursing students with opportunities to develop clinical skills through hands-on simulation and practice.

“Katherine’s generosity reminds us that philanthropy is more than financial giving. It is about expressing confidence in the next generation and creating opportunities for hard-working students to thrive and launch meaningful careers,” said Ivan Pulinkala, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

The endowment will provide enduring scholarship support for nursing students, helping reduce financial barriers as they prepare for careers in one of the nation’s most vital health care professions. More than 1,000 students are pursuing nursing education at Kennesaw State.

“Kennesaw State University has a very unique and compelling student body,” said Lance Burchett, vice president for advancement and CEO of the KSU Foundation. “Approximately 40% of our students are Pell Grant-eligible, and another 40% are seeking to become the first in their family to earn a college degree. While 79% of our students qualify for financial aid, only 6% receive donor-funded scholarships. Those students are 80% more likely to graduate in four years. They tell us it’s because of the gravity of having someone believe in them — the realization that ‘someone is investing in me, and I don’t want to let them down.’”

For Scott, the decision to support nursing students is rooted in a lifelong connection to health care. At 8 years old, she became seriously ill with undulant fever and experienced firsthand the impact of being cared for. Her early interest in medicine continued throughout childhood, when she played doctor with orange crates and carried a small black doctor’s bag.

Although her parents did not encourage her to attend college, Scott ultimately became an X-ray technician and found a career she loved. Her experiences shaped a lasting belief in the importance of following one’s passion and making a difference in others’ lives.

“I am giving, and these students are receiving the opportunity to learn, grow, and prepare for their careers,” Scott said. “What they receive here will carry over to the patients they care for. That is what giving and receiving means to me, and I hope these students remember their purpose, approach nursing with passion, and keep their focus on healing and caring for others.”

Scott’s commitment to Kennesaw State extends beyond nursing. In 2017, she established the Katherine Scott Rehearsal Hall Endowment with a $500,000 gift supporting the Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music. The rehearsal hall inside the Dr. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performance Center bears her name and supports music education and performance opportunities.

“These labs provide students with an invaluable opportunity to practice scenarios and techniques, develop advanced skills in teamwork and time management, and learn to balance the care of multiple patients and competing priorities in a safe, supportive environment,” said Laurie Tis, interim dean of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services.

The naming celebration also brought Scott together with nursing students who shared their experiences and aspirations as future health care professionals.

“Your generosity is not simply providing us with a space to learn. You are helping us become the health care professionals we aspire to be,” said Violet Miller, a student in the Wellstar School of Nursing.

Through the Katherine A. Scott Nursing Scholarship Endowment and the newly named simulation lab, Scott’s generosity will have a lasting impact, helping future nurses pursue their education, develop their skills, and carry that investment forward to the patients and communities they serve.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.