Widener University announces it has received a $10 million gift, the largest in university history, for its School of Nursing.
The transformational gift was made by alumnus Jack Dwyer ’78 and his wife Nancy to support Widener’s nationally celebrated nursing program and advance its mission of preparing the next generation of nurse leaders.
In recognition of the record-setting gift, the school will be renamed the Jack and Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing.
An accomplished entrepreneur, celebrated business leader, and passionate philanthropist, Dwyer earned an accounting degree from the School of Business Administration in 1978.
He is the founder and CEO of CFG Bank, the largest bank headquartered in Baltimore and among the nation’s five largest healthcare lenders for bridge-to-Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, loans.
He also founded and serves as CEO of Capital Funding Group, a leader in the healthcare and multifamily financing industry comprised of 11 companies that provide full-service, comprehensive financing and banking solutions.
Capital Funding Group serves the national healthcare industry and the Mid-Atlantic business community.
“On behalf of the Widener community, I want to express my gratitude to Jack and Nancy for their incredible generosity,” said Stacey Robertson, president of Widener University. “With this commitment, Widener will deepen its investment in our nursing program and broaden our impact at the local, state, and national levels.
“This marks an exciting moment in the university’s more than 200-year history as we reinforce our ongoing efforts to prepare nurses with the skills and experience to not only thrive in the profession, but shape the national healthcare landscape.”
Through his career providing financial solutions to organizations across the healthcare sector, Dwyer uncovered the hurdles facing many healthcare workers and companies, such as staffing shortages, professional burnout, and limited career pathways.
In 2021, together with Nancy, the Dwyers launched Dwyer Workforce Development, or DWD, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit created to combat the industry’s challenges by providing nursing training, job placement support, and career pathways for underserved populations.
The nonprofit’s multifaceted goal aims to make a difference in the lives of economically challenged populations, by providing career support for those who lack opportunity, bolster the nursing workforce with skilled nurses and improve patient care, particularly for seniors.
Since 2022, DWD has reported training more than 10,000 individuals.
DWD plans to increase the trainee cohort and further extend its footprint nationally. Its ultimate goal is to train and place 100,000 graduates by 2030 while increasing retention and minimizing turnover through extensive case management.
“It is an honor to give back to an institution that left an indelible mark on my life and career,” said Jack Dwyer.
“With Widener’s continued growth and innovative approach to student success, Nancy and I saw a tremendous opportunity to extend our efforts toward eliminating barriers in the healthcare industry, particularly those involving the nursing shortage and professional burnout. We are confident that with this support, Widener’s powerhouse nursing program will prepare nurse leaders to meet today’s healthcare challenges and improve community health through compassionate, expert care.”
“Support from university donors or benefactors, like Jack and Nancy, are paramount not only to student success, but to Widener’s future,” said Terry Travis, vice president of advancement. “Through their generosity, the Dwyers have partnered with Widener to help create a skilled and sustainable nursing workforce, which is critical to public health. Their commitment is a testament to the transformational impact that Widener alumni have on the world and the Pride.”
The university will celebrate the gift with a dedication and ribbon-cutting event in front of Founders Hall on its Chester campus Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m.
