The University of South Carolina College of Nursing has received a transformative investment in the future of health care education. The Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF has awarded the college $1.2 million to establish the Joanne and William Conway Nursing Scholarship, further strengthening the pipeline of highly trained nurses across South Carolina.

Located at the state’s flagship university, the College of Nursing becomes the newest beneficiary of the foundation’s longstanding commitment to expanding access to nursing education. Founded by Bill Conway Jr. and his late wife Joanne Barkett Conway, the Bedford Falls Foundation recognizes the vital role nurses play at every level of the health care system. This latest gift is designed to remove financial barriers to high-quality nursing education and address the critical nursing workforce shortage.

“We look forward to partnering with the University of South Carolina to support South Carolina residents on their journey to a nursing degree,” says Bill Conway. “Having a nursing degree transforms not only the lives of those students, but also the lives of all the residents they will care for as nurses.” 

The scholarship comes at a pivotal time of growth for the college. In 2024, the College of Nursing opened a 52,000 square-foot state-of-the-art satellite campus dedicated primarily to clinical training for third- and fourth-year nursing bachelor’s students as well as master’s program students. The facility includes an immersive simulation center widely recognized as a national leader in simulation education, equipping graduates with the hands-on experience and confidence needed to meet today’s increasingly complex health care demands.

“We are deeply grateful to the Bedford Falls Foundation for this extraordinary investment in the future of nursing," says Jeannette Andrews, dean and Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing. “This scholarship removes barriers for deserving students and strengthens our ability to develop the highly skilled nurses South Carolina urgently needs. Their generosity directly supports our mission to prepare practice‑ready graduates who will improve health outcomes across every community we serve.”

Systemwide, the University of South Carolina awards approximately 900 nursing degrees each year. Within five years of opening, the new Midlands facility is expected to help train and graduate 400 nurses annually—an 80% increase in the region. This expansion is critical, as South Carolina ranks among the 10 states projected to face the most significant nurse shortages by 2038.

The Joanne and William Conway Nursing Scholarship will provide financial support to upper division nursing students, awarding up to 165 South Carolina residents over three years. By easing the financial burden of earning a degree, the scholarship allows students to focus more fully on their education and professional development.

“Being able to fully commit to my nursing studies and deepen my involvement in professionally and personally meaningful activities was only possible because of the generosity of others,” says recent nursing graduate, Tomo Ono.

The University of South Carolina’s nationally ranked College of Nursing advances a comprehensive mission of teaching, research, practice, service and policy. As the state’s first nationally accredited nursing program, the college has graduated more than 12,000 nurses since 1957. Today, it continues to attract, educate and retain a highly skilled workforce prepared to meet local and regional health needs. A national leader in exam passage rates, the college ensures its graduates are practice-ready and committed to improving access to high-quality health care across South Carolina and beyond.

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