Dean's Message
On August 30, 2021, a historic announcement occurred on a glorious day in Bozeman. To a group of College of Nursing students, faculty, staff, alumni, clinical partners, MSU leaders, and dignitaries from across Montana, President Waded Cruzado announced that Mark and Robyn Jones, founders of Goosehead Insurance, committed $101 million to Montana State University College of Nursing. This represents the largest philanthropic gift ever made to a nursing program in the United States and the largest donation ever received by the Montana University System or Montana State University.
Mark and Robyn Jones prefer to not call their generosity a gift, but rather an investment. They are clear that they intend to have a significant impact on Montanans’ health by investing in MSU College of Nursing.
MSU College of Nursing is honored and humbled by the trust and confidence embodied in Mark and Robyn’s investment – and energized by this opportunity!
Mark and Robyn Jones’ investment marks a new chapter in the history of the MSU College of Nursing with new commitment going to Places, People, and Programs. These exciting plans are outlined in this special edition of the Bobcat Nurse!
Places, people and programs – that is what Montana State University is all about and why the Jones’ investment marks the start of a new, exciting chapter in the College of Nursing. Our goal is modest, …. simple. We intend to move the needle on health across Montana by 2030 by producing more Bachelor’s prepared nurses, more Doctor of Nursing Practice family nurse practitioners and psych-mental health nurse practitioners, and doubling the number of certified nurse midwives practicing in Montana.
The Jones’ investment is the beginning – the catalyst – for the future. But to realize this dream we need each of YOU …
Our clinical partners – large and small, urban and rural, acute care and ambulatory, who allow us to provide the high quality, diverse learning experiences our Bobcat nurses are known for.
Our generous donors – occasional or steadfast, in all amounts, who generously give to provide scholarships, faculty development funds, White Coats for each student, and to the Dean’s Excellence Fund which allows me to be nimble in the ever changing environment of healthcare.
Our alums, faculty, staff and students – you are our ambassadors! Your excellence as nurses speaks for itself. You have created the Bobcat Nurse reputation that Mark and Robyn Jones have “betted on”. YOU are the College of Nursing.
Montana State University College of Nursing is ONE COLLEGE with FIVE CAMPUSES serving all of MONTANA. From 1937 to 2021, the College has grown in size and reputation. Now we look forward to 2030 with one goal in mind – to be the best, most impactful, College of Nursing in the United States.
Together we will make a difference for Montana, Dean Sarah Shannon
MARK AND ROBYN JONES DONATE $101 MILLION TO THE MSU COLLEGE OF NURSING
Montana State University announced a philanthropic gift of $101 million for its College of Nursing from Mark and Robyn Jones, founders of Goosehead Insurance Inc., as they seek to help address one of the most defining challenges of our time — access to health care, particularly for rural and frontier communities.
Places
Provide funding for new facilities at each of the MSU College of Nursing’s five campuses in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula equipped with modern classrooms and state-of-the-art simulation labs, where nursing students will hone their critical thinking and practice their skills.
"These facilities have served us well over the College’s first 85 years, but enrollments have outgrown square footage and technology has outpaced structures." - MSU College of Nursing Dean Sarah Shannon
People
Establish five endowed faculty professorships — the first in the history of the MSU College of Nursing. These endowed professorships will position MSU to attract top faculty talent during a nationwide nursing faculty shortage.
Develop an endowed scholarship fund that will allow the MSU College of Nursing to keep the cost of nursing education affordable for all students.
"Faculty and students are the heart of our College. The Jones’ investment will ensure we can recruit top faculty talent in a tight national labor market. In addition, the scholarship fund will help ensure that finances are not a barrier to becoming a nurse." -MSU College of Nursing Dean Sarah Shannon
Programs
Create Montana’s only certified nurse midwifery program preparing doctoral level nurses who will significantly increase the number of specialized maternal health care providers capable and willing to provide services to rural and remote communities in Montana.
"The Midwifery program will help rural mothers and babies get a healthy start to life." -MSU College of Nursing Dean Sarah Shannon
MSU Celebrates Generosity
“It is hard to put into words how moved and excited all of us are at Montana State University by the generosity of the Joneses, who are helping to address some of the most critical health care disparity issues in Montana, particularly in the state’s rural areas. Straight from the hearts of Mark and Robyn, this gift will forever change health care in Montana, and it will serve as a model for the nation. Thanks to their vision, we will have access to tangible tools, such as high-quality simulation labs, new facilities across our nursing campuses, and more registered nurses, and doctor of nursing practice prepared nurse practitioners and nurse midwives.” - Montana State University President Waded Cruzado
"We are deeply humbled by this gift and are confident that this investment will attract and inspire others to give. It is our hope that communities, hospitals, and individuals will join us as we expand access to healthcare across Montana especially in our most underserved communities. Together, we can change the face of healthcare delivery across Montana and save lives." - Montana State University Alumni Foundation President and Chief Executive Office Chris Murray
Student Reactions
"When I first heard ($101 million) I was just speechless. The number of opportunities (the gift) will provide to nursing students now and in the future - it's just awesome." - MSU nursing student Megan Johnson.
"This donation from Mark and Robyn Jones will not only better our undergraduate learning but also motivate us to pursue a higher education at Montana State. The many issues facing our healthcare system right now - staffing shortages, limited access to healthcare, mental health issues - will likely see drastic improvements as this gift shapes the future of nursing in Montana." - MSU nursing student Lina Power
“Coming from rural Montana, this donation means a lot for the future of healthcare in the area I grew up in. Thank you!” - MSU nursing student Jacob Martin
Partners Celebrate and Dedicate Support
John Hill, president and CEO of Bozeman Health and vice chair of the Montana Hospital Association, said hospitals across Montana recognize the "tremendous and urgent" need for more nurses across the state and the nation. He said hospitals in all five communities in which the College of Nursing's campuses are located are committed to partnering with the MSU College of Nursing to bring the "extraordinary gift to life".
“The landscape of nursing in Montana will forever be changed because of this extraordinary gift by allowing the MSU College of Nursing to expand its reach and impact. The commitment to nursing excellence will transform the care provided to patients, families and communities moving forward.” - Diane Patterson MN, MPH, RN Bozeman Health CNO
"As a graduate of the Nurse Practitioner program I was ecstatic to hear the news of the generous endowment to MSU-CON. Our residents will see an direct impact as the nursing program expands with doctoral nursing practice degrees in midwifery, expanding mental health nurse practitioners and growing the undergraduate nursing program. I am so excited to see what the next years have in store for the College of Nursing and all Montanans." - Keven Comer MN, FNP-BC, FAANP Bozeman Health
“It gives me goosebumps to think about the amazing gift given to MSU and the impact to a generation of nurses we haven’t even met yet. As we face a once-in-a-century pandemic, we are more aware than ever of how much the health of our communities depends on the next generation of nurses stepping forward. I can’t wait to see the impact of this incredible investment in the future of nursing.” - Rayn Ginnaty RN, BSN, MBA System Chief Nursing Officer & Hospitals Chief Operating Officer, Benefis Health System
“We are excited to collaborate with MSU to be a part of this opportunity to advance the future of nursing across the state of Montana.” - Beth A. Hock Chief Nursing Officer Providence St. Patrick Hospital
Reaction from the College of Nursing
“It’s a miracle! As an alumna and faculty member of our great program, I am thrilled and excited for how this gift will foster our ability to shape the future of nursing and healthcare in Montana.” - Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Susan Raph
"This gift provides an unprecedented ability for the College of Nursing to improve health across the state of Montana. Engaging our strengths in teaching, research, and outreach, we will have the capacity to make real change that responds to the diverse and complex health needs across our state." - Associate Dean for Research Molly Secor
"The investment by Mark and Robyn Jones investment in Montana State University College of Nursing is remarkable and it has the power to elevate nursing across the state of Montana. Where you live matters and one of the most important impacts this investment will make is improving the care of rural Montanans. Currently rural residents are often required to travel long distances to receive healthcare; this investment will allow the College of Nursing to bring healthcare to rural and frontier communities which are currently medically underserved." - Campus Director and Associate Professor "Dale" M. Mayer
"A rising tide lifts all boats. This generous gift will allow us to partner in creative ways to address important health care needs in our state. If we do it right, our students will be better prepared to meet the challenges of today’s health care system and the outcomes for our patients and communities will see marked improvement." - Campus Director and Professor Susan Luparell
“I am so appreciative of the Jones family’s investment in the MSU College of Nursing. This investment will help address the nursing shortage in Montana and impact the healthcare needs of mothers, infants, and all citizens of Montana for many years to come.” - Campus Direct and Associate Clinical Professor Ann Galloway
"Such an incredible gift! This is exactly what we were wishing for, it’s a dream come true!" - Campus Director and Assistant Teaching Professor Debbie Fischer
"The Jones’ gift and their inspiration to improve maternal child health in Montana through a nurse midwifery track is going to lift up families in every corner of our state." - Professor Laura Larsson
“I assumed the announcement would be about a donation, but it was so much more than I imagined! The enormity of this gift blew me away when I realized what it will do for the future of nursing in Montana. I highly value the Jones's investment in our nursing education mission and appreciate the trust they put in us to help better the lives of Montanans.” –Associate Professor Yoshi Colclough
"I was thrilled by the news of the Jones investment in MSU College of Nursing and the nursing profession. The impact of this will not just improve health care in Montana but across the country. I am excited to be part of an amazing group of nurses that get to make this vision a reality!" - Assistant Professor Marg Hammersla
Mark and Robyn Jones
We Thank You!
"0n behalf of the faculty, the students, the staff and alumni of Montana State University, of the countless babies that our Bobcat nurses will welcome to the world, the innumerable patients that will be healed and consoled, and the many families that will benefit from your generosity (Mark and Robyn Jones), thank you from the bottom of my bobcat heart." - Montana State University President Waded Cruzado
