The Capstone College of Nursing recently received a donation of $100,000 to create an endowed scholarship for incoming freshman nursing students. Donated by Gordon Rosen, a retired municipal judge and practicing lawyer, and his wife, Ann, the Gordon and Ann Rosen Endowed Nursing Scholarship seeks to encourage and help students that want to pursue the nursing profession.

Rosen said he has a great deal of respect for nursing and thinks that it’s a “noble calling.” A veteran of World War II, Rosen said he realized during the war how critical nurses were to the service, and his respect for nurses has continued to grow over the years as he has had more opportunities to see their work.

“I’ll be 90 this year and had a few health problems, and my older brothers had some health problems,” Rosen said. “They had occasion to be hospitalized, as I have. I’ve observed nurses and respect nurses, and respect what they do, and how they go about their job, and what they mean to all of us.”

Shelley Jordan, director of advancement at the Capstone College of Nursing, said the College is so appreciative for the donation by the Rosens.

“It’s going to help our students tremendously, because an endowment of that amount at our college will help many people pursue their dream of being a nurse,” she said. “Many students will be able pursue their dream of being a nurse because of what he and his wife have done for us.”

Rosen said he hopes the scholarship will provide students with the opportunity to pursue nursing when they might not have been able to otherwise. He also encourages students to pursue nursing because nurses are needed now.

“[The College of Nursing is] already a great school, and [the scholarship will] help to bring those students who want to be nurses, but may not have a sufficient financial assistance to become nurses,” he said. “Therefore, I hope that there will be some [students]…that can get a scholarship that will enable them to pursue that profession.”

The scholarship will be awarded beginning in fall 2012 to incoming freshmen nursing students that meet the academic requirements and have a financial need.

“We are just so grateful for what he’s doing for our students,” Jordan said. “A lot of young people have dreams of becoming a nurse, and because of Judge Rosen and his wife, that will happen.”

In addition to the scholarship at the University of Alabama, Rosen established a smaller endowment at Shelton State for LPNs, or licensed practical nurses. Rosen said he hopes others will donate to the nursing colleges to help more students pursue this field.

“It’s a great profession and serves mankind,” he said.