George Bemis ’60, MD has made a landmark estate commitment—currently valued at $16 million—to the University of Vermont (UVM) in honor of Nancy Wicks Bemis, RN, his late wife, who studied nursing at UVM in the late 1950s. As the largest gift in the history of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS), the bequest will significantly expand access to nursing education through scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students.
“This historic investment in nursing scholarships opens doors for more students pursuing one of the most critical professions in our country,” said UVM President Marlene Tromp. “At a time when the United States faces a serious nursing shortage, strengthening nursing education at UVM not only supports Vermont’s communities but also contributes to addressing the urgent need for nurses nationwide. Dr. Bemis takes a rightful place in the pantheon of UVM’s most generous and thoughtful donors, and Nancy’s name will be cherished by generations of students who will benefit from his remarkable gift.”
The Nancy Wicks Bemis, RN Endowment will provide scholarship assistance for undergraduate and graduate nursing students with financial need who demonstrate potential to become future leaders in the profession. Priority will be given to students who are Vermont residents. Once fully invested, the endowment is predicted to more than double the annual donor-funded scholarship aid currently designated for nursing students.
“Dr. Bemis’s commitment—among the largest in UVM history—will transform nursing education at UVM,” said Kathleen Kelleher, interim president and CEO of the UVM Foundation. “His vision and generosity will ensure that Vermont and the nation continues to benefit from highly skilled, compassionate nurses in perpetuity.”
Nancy Wicks Bemis overcame countless obstacles in her pursuit of nursing. She began her education at UVM but had to pause her studies after marrying George in 1958—at the time, married students were not permitted in the nursing program. Following George’s acceptance to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, distance put her UVM degree out of reach. Still, her desire to be a nurse never wavered. After raising a family, she completed her nursing education at age 50 at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, intending to pursue missionary health work. But just three months later, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and given a three percent chance of surviving five years. Defying the odds, she lived 26 more years, traveling with George and using her nursing skills during his USAF tours. Nancy passed away in 2017, at 77, after a brief battle with ALS.
“UVM was and is of great importance to both Nancy and me,” said Dr. Bemis. “I am pleased to be making this commitment to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences as a lasting tribute to Nancy.”
Bemis has been a steadfast supporter of UVM for more than 50 years and is a strong proponent of nursing and medical student education. After graduating from UVM in 1960, he earned a medical degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1964. He led a distinguished career as an OB/GYN doctor in the U.S. Air Force that spanned nearly 30 years. He earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in 1988 and retired from the Air Force in 1991 while in the process of a promotion to full colonel. Now retired from his medical practice, he lives in Lakeville, Minnesota.
News of the scholarship commitment has been met with an outpouring of gratitude across CNHS.
“By removing financial barriers to enrollment in our nursing program, the Nancy Wicks Bemis, RN Endowment will pave the way for us to welcome countless students who call Vermont home,” said Rosemary Dale, chair of the Department of Nursing.
“This estate commitment is a fitting celebration of Mrs. Bemis’s life and work and an inspiring show of confidence in the college,” said Noma Anderson, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “We could not be more grateful to Dr. Bemis.”
About the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
UVM’s nursing program has one of the highest percentages of Vermont residents enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the university. CNHS currently enrolls over 1,160 undergraduate and 300 graduate students across a comprehensive portfolio of programs, including nursing, physical therapy, communication sciences and disorders, public health, and biomedical sciences. The professional nursing BS program continues to lead in enrollment with 550 undergraduates, while graduate nursing programs have grown to 117 students, underscoring the college’s sustained excellence and leadership in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
About UVM: For People and Planet
Founded in 1791, UVM is the leading public university where discovery, creativity, community, and action coalesce to secure a thriving future for people and planet. Recognized among the nation’s top R1 research institutions, Vermont’s land-grant university attracts $260 million annually for groundbreaking research and enrolls approximately 14,000 students from 50 states and 75 countries. At UVM, students, faculty, and staff work together in pursuit of a healthier, greener future. Learn more at uvm.edu.
About the UVM Foundation
Fundraising for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a major focus for the University of Vermont Foundation, a nonprofit corporation established to secure and manage private support for the benefit of the University of Vermont and the UVM Medical Center. To inquire about making a gift to CNHS, contact Regina Farrell ’93 at Regina.Farrell@med.uvm.edu. More information about the impact of donors like Dr. Bemis and the work of the UVM Foundation can be found at www.uvmfoundation.org.