Scholarship bolsters nursing student success
Seven-figure gift establishes generous nursing scholarship
The world needs great nurses, and Leona C. Fiske thought she could help.
That’s why Fiske said she made a seven-figure commitment to establish the Nelson S. and Leona C. Fiske Decker School of Nursing Scholarship.
The scholarship, named after her and her late husband, covers up to four years of the total cost of education for selected students — incoming first-year students accepted into Binghamton University’s Bachelor of Science in nursing program who have excellent grades and demonstrated financial need.
“If a student is passionate about anything, in this case, nursing, she or he should be able to go and get the degree they desire and need,” Fiske said.
Having the determination to succeed is also important, she said.
“When you have something in mind that you really want to do, determination will get you there,” she said. “I use determination in my life every day, and it has gotten me where I wanted to go.”
Fiske lives in the Binghamton area. Her niece Alma Rood is a clinical assistant professor at Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, which is made up of three schools: Decker School of Nursing, the School of Applied Health Sciences and the School of Rehabilitation Sciences.
“Ms. Fiske’s generosity will be life changing for the students who receive her scholarship, and it demonstrates the tremendous value she places on the impact of a Decker School of Nursing education,” Decker College Dean Mario Ortiz said. “We truly appreciate her support.”