The University of Georgia announced on April 17 that its School of Nursing will be named the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing, following a $20.5 million endowment from Melvin Douglas “Doug” Ivester and the Ivester Foundation. The announcement was made during a private ceremony, where Doug Ivester surprised his wife with the news.
The naming recognizes the Ivesters’ long-standing support for the university and aims to enhance nursing education at UGA. Their contribution comes as Georgia faces a significant nursing workforce shortage, with projections indicating a 21% shortfall in registered nurses by 2035 due to factors such as an aging population and disparities in health care access.
During the ceremony, President Jere W. Morehead said, “Doug and Kay, it would be impossible for this institution to sufficiently thank you for decades of enduring support and for this most recent gift that will do so much to advance our state. You truly represent the very best of the University of Georgia, and we are so fortunate to count you as champions of this great institution.”
Doug Ivester said his wife has always cared deeply about nursing education: “Kay has long held an interest in nursing and nursing education. At heart, she is a caregiver, always concerning herself with the well-being of others… We believe the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing will offer outstanding educational opportunities for future students who will ultimately make great contributions to the state’s medical community and the health and well-being of Georgia citizens. Kay and I cannot express adequately how honored we are to see Kay’s name on the new UGA School of Nursing.”
Carolyn K. Clevenger, founding dean of UGA’s School of Nursing, said at the event: “The school that will carry your name will be built on the same values that I understand you have lived by: care for others, presence in community and the belief that the people around you deserve the very best of what you have to give. It is an honor to build this school. It is a privilege to build it in your name.”
The Board of Regents authorized UGA’s independent School of Nursing in May 2025; plans call for welcoming its first students as early as fall 2027.
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Benjamin C. Ayers concluded: “Today, we are celebrating not only the launch of a new academic school but also the enduring Ivester legacy and its impact on lives across this state… This is a moment we will look back on as pivotal in UGA’s history. We are deeply grateful, deeply honored and incredibly excited for what lies ahead.”
