Last Updated on May 22, 2025 3:01 pm
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a $1 million commitment from the Bedford Falls Foundation in support of its pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program in the Beaver College of Health Sciences.
The funds will provide significant scholarship support for more than 40 nursing students from North Carolina who demonstrate financial need, with the option for annual renewal. The selected students will be known as Conway Scholars, in recognition of Bedford Falls Foundation’s founder and trustee, Bill Conway Jr., and his late wife, Joanne Barkett Conway, who have committed millions of dollars to addressing the critical shortage of qualified nurses nationwide.
“App State is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for practicing and prospective nurses — a commitment we know is shared by the Bedford Falls Foundation,” said App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “This generous gift will help remove financial barriers for aspiring nurses and strengthen the health care workforce across our state and region.”
Foundation funding has also been designated for multiple other nursing program components focused on improving student success, including mental health first aid training — teaching students how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders — peer mentor programs, conference travel and professional development.
Additionally, an allowance will be created to assist students with the cost of courses taken during the summer — for which other scholarship support and financial aid is limited.
“Our principal mission is to facilitate greater access to high-quality nursing education while removing financial barriers that will help prepare future generations of nurses for the health care system,” said Bill Conway. “We are proud to partner with Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences to support nurses as they enter into the workforce to support themselves, their families and their communities.”
Elevating health care in the High Country and beyond
Established in 2010 in response to the growing need for BSN-prepared nurses in the region, App State’s pre-licensure nursing program has experienced significant growth in recent years, with continued expansion on the horizon.
In 2024, 92 counties in North Carolina were designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), including multiple counties in Western North Carolina. To help address statewide needs, the University of North Carolina System awarded $29 million in grants last year to expand nursing programs at institutions across the System, including a nearly $2.2 million grant awarded to App State.
Thanks to this increased support from the UNC System, App State’s Department of Nursing is on track to increase the number of BSN graduates by 60% from 2022 to 2026, according to Dr. Tammy Haley, chair of the Department of Nursing.
“As we add more seats to our nursing program, the support provided by the Bedford Falls Foundation will play a critical role in helping us fill those seats with talented and deserving students,” said Haley. “The foundation’s generous contributions will help ensure that financial obstacles do not deter students from pursuing a meaningful career in nursing.”
Graduates of App State’s BSN program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for registered nurse practice. For 2024 and 2023, the BSN program boasted a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 100%, with a seven-year average first-time pass rate of 97%.
