Nursing Receives Largest Gift in its History

Some may argue that today, at 83 years old, retired nurse Lovetta Blanke is having a more significant impact on the nursing profession than ever before.

A quarter of a century ago, Lovetta retired from the Dayton Public Schools where she was a school nurse. From 1976 to 1978, she directed the WSU College of Nursing and Health's fledgling continuing education program. And so began her enduring involvement with Wright State.

Throughout the years, she has shared her nursing expertise as a dedicated volunteer with the College of Nursing and Health's Advisory Board and philanthropic supporter of the university.

In 1991, Lovetta and her late husband, Bertram, established a fund for both an annual student award for the best thesis in school or community health, and a research award to fuel important work by WSU nursing faculty. To date, 13 research projects have been made possible by grants from the Blankes' fund. Most recently, Lovetta established the Lovetta and Bertram BlankeEndowed Professorship in Nursing Research by including a provision for Wright State in her will.

"I never realized that I could make such an impact on the research taking place at Wright State just by including the university in my will," said Lovetta. "As a nurse and former faculty member, I know how difficult it sometimes can be for nursing faculty to establish important research programs that add to the body of knowledge we have about the profession. And in an era plagued by nursing shortages, the pursuit of clinical research and education of tomorrow's nurses has never been more important."

Lovetta's recent contribution is the single largest gift ever to the college.