Flathead Valley Community College began a campaign last week to raise $1 million for a new $5.75-million nursing building on campus, with the bulk of the cost covered by a $4 million private donation.
FVCC President Jane Karas addressed the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Aug. 30 with the news of the donation, which came from the Broussard family. Rebecca Broussard, well known for starting the equestrian triathlon The Event, was also a nurse.
Broussard passed away last December. Her family said FVCC’s nursing program combines her love of nursing and her high regard for the school.
“FVCC touches the lives of so many people in our community in many ways,” Jerome Broussard, Rebecca’s husband, said in a statement. “We wanted to recognize Becky’s extraordinary life as a nurse and philanthropist and build a lasting legacy for Becky who deeply cared about nursing and the community.”
The college has money set aside for the project, Karas said, bringing the total funds needed to $1 million.
Karas said the 30,000-square-foot building would ideally hold class and lab space for the nursing program and other health science programs, as well as simulation rooms, student study rooms and conference space.
A new building would be a considerable upgrade from the current facilities, which Karas said consists of trailers on campus, “though they’ve decorated them quite nicely,” she added.
Karas also noted that none of the buildings on FVCC’s campus have been built with state funds; instead, they were financed with local taxpayer support. If the new building is constructed, it will be the first privately funded building on campus.
The college hopes to speak with architects this month, she said, and have a design by next spring. Karas said the college would like to break ground in May or June, with construction completed in January 2013.
The building’s location has not yet been determined and the college will hold meetings this fall to finalize these details.
FVCC offers many levels of nursing education, Karas said, including licensed practical nursing, a nursing associate of science degree and a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
“We’re very proud to be able to provide some great nursing education,” Karas said.
Karas told the crowd that there would be significant increases in the need for nurses both nationwide and in Montana within the next six years.
“Our role is to meet our local community’s needs,” she said.
Another benefit of the new building would be the student health clinic. While most colleges and universities require students to have some form of health insurance, the cost can be prohibitive for potential students, Karas said, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars.
The new clinic could provide basic and preventative healthcare for student for about $20 a semester, Karas said.
Most FVCC students work full- or part-time jobs while in school, she said, and staying healthy would mean more productive employees.
“If we can keep them healthy for you, then that’s an economic benefit,” Karas told the luncheon crowd.
FVCC has experienced a 55 percent enrollment increase in the past two and a half years. Last year’s record number of graduates included the largest practical nursing class yet.
For more information on FVCC’s million-dollar campaign, contact Colleen Unterreiner, FVCC executive director of institutional advancement, at 756-3914 or at [email protected].