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Why One Alumna is Helping Nursing Students

Kathy Bower

Ensuring that future nurses have scholarships to help them pursue their degrees, Boise State University two-time graduate Kathy Bower, ’75, ’90, has created an estate plan where a portion benefits the fund of her choice – the Friends of Nursing Scholarship.

“Boise State has provided consistent quality nurses for Idaho and beyond,” said Bower. “It is important to contribute to the future of nursing, both as a program and individually.”

As a recipient when she attended Boise State to earn her Associate and Bachelor’s degrees, Bower understands how scholarships help students succeed.

“Without financial help, I would not have been able to go to college. Nursing was the only career path I was interested in,” she said. “Fifteen years later, I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing after four years of part-time classes while I worked at St. Luke’s.”

Investing in a profession that has provided her with a “wonderful career” is important to Bower, and she encourages others to help where they can. Citing the Max Lucado quote, she added, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

“Boise State is a huge asset to the community,” Bower said. “It is important to support the new generation of nurses.  I have donated to the annual drives for most of my career.  When I started my retirement planning, I included scholarship support so I can contribute to help educate nurses of the future.”

Nursing Students and Financial Aid

More than half of all nursing students in 2020 applied for some form of financial aid.

We’ve all lived happy and fulfilled lives surrounded by family and friends. And for many of us, there is a compelling need to make a difference that leads us to ponder our legacy. What kind of legacy will you leave? A legacy in perpetuity for a profession that has touched you in a significant way? One that perhaps has benefited you personally, or that of a loved one? A charitable bequest is perhaps the easiest and most tangible way to leave a lasting impact on the people and organizations that mean the most to you.

Create a Legacy Through Gift Planning

What is a Charitable Bequest?

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make.

With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will to specify a gift to be made to family, friends or Boise State as part of your estate plans. A bequest may be made in several ways:

  • Gift of a dollar amount
  • Gift of a percentage of your estate
  • Gift of a specific asset

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