University of Alabama Nursing Gets Boost from $1.5M Fund

A five-year, $1.5 million commitment from the Bedford Falls Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund will benefit The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing by supporting in-state student scholarships and enhancing academic programs.

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With this transformative investment from the Bedford Falls Foundation – DAF, The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing will be able to award approximately 60 scholarships annually for in-state, undergraduate nursing students, while also strengthening key student success initiatives.

“Bedford Falls Foundation’s extraordinary commitment marks a historic moment for both our college and the state of Alabama, as this is the first funding the foundation has provided within the state,” said Dr. Julie Sanford, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. “Their investment strengthens our mission to prepare highly skilled nurses who will serve communities across Alabama and beyond.”

“The Bedford Falls Foundation aims to remove these barriers to high-quality nursing education and address the critical nursing workforce shortage nationwide, a need that is especially urgent in Alabama,” said the press release. The Alabama Board of Nursing said that “approximately 39,000 nurses indicated retirement plans by 2027, leaving a projected statewide shortage of 14,000 nurses.”

At a pivotal moment for growth, the Bedford Falls Foundation’s commitment to the Capstone College of Nursing will help fuel an ambitious plan to double enrollment and produce twice as many practice-ready graduates by 2030, addressing Alabama’s critical nursing workforce demand.

“We are pleased to support students at the University of Alabama,” said Bill Conway Jr., who established the Bedford Falls Foundation and Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF, along with his late wife, Joanne Barrett Conway. “The nursing shortage is critical. If we can play even a small part in addressing this need by supporting future nurses, then we are proud to do so.”

Recognized as a national leader in nursing, The University of Alabama - Capstone College of Nursing consistently delivers exceptional outcomes, highlighted by a 99.6% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination among its 2025 BSN graduates, which far exceeds national averages.

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