After serving as a voice for families of students, parents establish fund to recruit and retain exceptional nursing faculty
Four years ago, when Beth and David Daigle were helping their daughter, Celia, explore college options, Case Western Reserve quickly emerged as the top choice for the entire family.
The quality of the nursing program—including access to hospitals in the area and the convenience of having everything within walking distance—made it a leader from the start. But, it was Celia’s ability to engage in early clinicals that truly set the school apart from the others.
Students across all levels at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing have access to extensive practical experiences. Through these hands-on opportunities, they learn from faculty who provide care in a range of settings—and who are dedicated to students’ success.
As Celia became immersed in the nursing program and campus life, Beth and David Daigle found their level of involvement increased as well. The two accepted an offer to serve on the university’s Parents Leadership Council—a group charged with enhancing the student experience, acting as a sounding board for the administration and serving as ambassadors with fellow parents.
The council also helps identify obstacles that keep students from accessing important resources, or even voicing concerns to university leadership.
“Most students aren’t going to talk to the provost or the president or the dean,” said Beth Daigle. “So [the Parents Leadership Council] is a good forum to get that feedback from the students and on to the administration.”
With Celia’s May graduation on the horizon, and their time on the council nearly complete, the Daigles will continue to leave their mark on the university—especially Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. The couple is committing $1 million to ensure future students receive exceptional practical preparation for their work in an ever-changing health care environment.
Their gift establishes the Clinical Scholars Excellence Fund, which the school can use both to recruit and retain exceptional doctorally prepared, clinically focused faculty.
“Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing needs both traditional tenure-track, research-focused faculty, as well as those who are exceptional leaders in clinical care and innovation,” David Daigle said. “We want to help provide programs and resources to support the many clinically focused faculty here, and to reward and celebrate their achievements.”
Originally published in the winter 2024 issue of Forward Thinking magazine