Title:Supporting tomorrow’s nurses

In gratitude to Georgetown University and its tenet cura personalis or “care for the whole person,” Patty (NHS’93) and Chris (B’93) Mosher (Parents’24) recently established the Nursing Student Resource Endowed Fund in the amount of $150,000 to provide immediate financial assistance to undergraduate nursing students who have an emergency and critical financial need. The fund helps ensure that students can continue with their nursing education despite a financial setback.    

“Georgetown has always been a special place for us,” says Chris. “Our connection to the university has increased with one of our children recently spending four years on the Hilltop. Experiencing Georgetown as a parent gave us better insight into the current needs of students.” 

“Georgetown is a place that provides tremendous opportunity for young people to grow and learn about themselves,” adds Patty. “Receiving a quality education has the power to change someone’s life, which is why Chris and I hope this gift can remove some financial barriers for students.”

Help in a time of need

The fund has already been used to help students when the unforeseen occurs.  

“The Nursing Student Resource Endowed Fund helped me cover the cost of my CPR certification, which is essential for my classes,” shares one student. “I’m grateful for the support that allowed me to continue progressing toward my nursing goals.”

Another student turned to the fund when her laptop broke down at a time when she also needed to pay for the background checks in order to participate in required clinicals and hands-on learning experiences.  

“Thank you so much for all the support you’ve given me and the other recipients who are fortunate enough to receive this fund,” says the appreciative student. “You have supported me in my endeavors and given me a chance to succeed in my dreams. I will be forever grateful!”

Berkley School leaders work closely with nursing students as they navigate their Georgetown education. 

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Moshers, we’ve been able to remove financial barriers that too often stand between students and their goals,” says John Dolan, associate dean of student affairs for the Georgetown University Berkley School of Nursing. “This funding has not only helped our nursing students stay focused during times of unexpected financial hurdles and hardships, but also empowered them to fully engage in their academic and co-curricular experiences.”

Living Jesuit values

The donors met as first-year students during a fire safety meeting in Gaston Hall. They filed into the same row along with their roommates and soon realized that they were both from Massachusetts. A quick friendship developed, and eventually they started dating. The Moshers have been together ever since.

After reflecting on their years on the Hilltop, Patty and Chris realized how much Jesuit values have shaped their lives. 

“The Jesuit motto ‘people for others’ is something that we strive to put into practice every day,” says Chris. “Georgetown provided a very supportive, nurturing community where people looked out and cared for one another. By establishing this fund, we are hoping to continue this tradition by supporting nursing students, with the goal that the act of helping someone will spur them to pay it forward in the future.”  

“Chris and I are fortunate to be in a place where we can give back. We feel called to show our kids that it is important to give back to institutions that mean something to you, that have changed you, or that have helped you grow,” says Patti. “Georgetown is a very special place to us and we felt called to set up this fund for nursing students. There is currently an incredible need for medical professionals and especially nurses, particularly after the COVID pandemic. We hope others will also support the Student Resource Fund and help ensure that Georgetown nursing students have the financial funds they need to complete their education.”