Members of the Widener University community gathered Oct. 1 to celebrate the generosity of Jack ’78 and Nancy Dwyer, whose $10 million gift aims to shape the future of nursing education and patient care for generations.
Widener celebrated the milestone gift, the largest in the university’s more than 200-year history, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on campus, unveiling the newly renamed Jack & Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing.
The event took place outside of Founders Hall, which houses the Dwyer School of Nursing. It featured a brief program with remarks from university leaders, including Stacey Robertson, president of Widener University; Paul Beideman, chair of the board of trustees; Audrey Snyder, dean of nursing; and Jack Dwyer.
Speaking to a crowd of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, Robertson emphasized the broad impact the funding will have both on Widener nursing students and the communities they will serve.
“This gift will open doors for students who dream of becoming nurses but need a helping hand to get there. And it will ensure that Widener remains at the forefront of nursing education. But this gift is bigger than our campus, because the end result will improve patient care, as the nurses we send into the world positively shape the healthcare landscape,” said Robertson.
After earning an accounting degree from Widener in 1978, Jack Dwyer built a career in banking and healthcare financing with a specialization in nursing home facilities.
He is the founder and CEO of CFG Bank and 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.
In 2021, Jack and Nancy launched Dwyer Workforce Development to combat ongoing challenges in the nursing profession, such as staff shortages and professional burnout. The first-of-its-kind nonprofit was created to provide nursing training, job placement support, and career pathways for individuals experiencing poverty and lacking opportunities.
“Nancy and I are thrilled to partner with Widener University’s nursing program to help bring change to the future of nursing. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare industry, particularly when it comes to senior care.
“In today’s healthcare environment, however, the profession continues to battle various stressors, causing significant staff shortages and burnout. Investing in nursing education at Widener will enable us to support educational programming, meet the workforce demand, and graduate nurses with the skills and experience to lead and thrive in the field.”
In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the day also featured a student-run blood drive and panel discussion.
The blood drive, hosted by the Widener University Student Nurses’ Association and the American Red Cross, was a sold-out event with more than 50 of donors.
The panel discussion offered deep insight into the expanding role of nurse leaders from panel experts, including Snyder, Jack Dwyer, and nursing faculty members.
Widener University is a private institution that offers students an agile, innovative, and inclusive approach to learning.
Industry-shaping faculty provide close, personal mentorship and share powerful connections that help students build professional networks.
Recognized as one of the Philadelphia region’s leading universities, Widener offers programs and experiences that empower its community of learners to discover and create better futures as scholars, leaders, and globally engaged citizens.
