Featured image for post: Major Gift to Barton Names the Judy Howard Hill Nursing Program in the School of Nursing

Major Gift to Barton Names the Judy Howard Hill Nursing Program in the School of Nursing

WILSON, N.C. — June 21, 2016 — Barton College is pleased to announce the naming of the Judy Howard Hill Nursing Program in the School of Nursing. The official announcement was made at a special ceremony on April 14, during Barton’s Inauguration Week for President Douglas N. Searcy. This transformational gift was made by Germon Earl Hill in honor of his wife, Judy Howard Hill, ’91, and their 50th wedding anniversary on June 27, 2015.

“We are grateful to Earl and Judy Hill for their generosity to Barton College,” said Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president of Barton College. “Their support will greatly benefit our students and faculty within the School of Nursing. It is gratifying to earn the support of our alumni and friends as we continue to elevate the student experience and foster our students’ learning and growth. The Hills’ gift creates excitement at Barton and promotes the excellence existing in Nursing and academic programs across the entire campus.”

The three main components of the gift have resulted in the establishment of the following: the Judy Howard Hill Nursing Endowed Scholarship; the Judy Howard Hill Nursing Endowed Faculty Development Fund; and the Judy Howard Hill Nursing Program Resources Fund.

“This gift will enable the continued growth and excellence of Barton’s nursing program, which has gained a strong reputation since its founding in 1970,” shared Dr. Sharon I. Sarvey, dean of the School of Nursing at Barton College. “Not only will we be able to attract additional quality students and support our great faculty, this gift will also ensure the quality of our learning environment, and provide opportunities for innovative academic programming coupled with hands-on experiences. The Hills’ gift will be felt by the communities we serve for years to come.”

The mission of Barton’s School of Nursing is to prepare graduates to function in present and emerging roles as collaborative members of interdisciplinary health care teams. With a liberal arts base, the School of Nursing provides a scholarly environment that fosters the utilization of research, experiential learning, and public service in a variety of health care settings.

Judy Hill completed her degree at the Lenoir Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Kinston. Ever focused on her desire to be the best nurse she could be, Judy matriculated to Barton College and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1991. With sights still set on education, Judy continued her studies and completed a Master of Science degree in Nursing at Duke University and ultimately became an advanced registered Family Nurse Practitioner internationally certified in asthma. She was an intensive care nurse to many in Lenoir County and was a nurse practitioner in the Wayne Initiative for School Health in Goldsboro.

Earl Hill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1969. In 1995, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Mount Olive College (now Mount Olive University) at New Bern. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Church Ministries from the Mount Olive College (now Mount Olive University) at New Bern in 2000. Earl has spent his entire career in the pharmacy field in Eastern North Carolina until 2001, when his pharmacy in Kinston was sold. In 2001, the Hills moved to Colleyville, Texas, and they continue to call Colleyville “home.” Today, Earl still practices pharmacy. He has licenses to practice pharmacy in 17 states. The Hills live near their son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

“It was Judy’s kindness and generosity that made this gift possible,” shared Earl Hill. “We are pleased to support Barton and the School of Nursing. We know that our nation will need the health care professionals that will be produced out of this program, including registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nurses with Ph.D.s, who will teach other nursing students. It is our distinct pleasure to offer our support.”

Click on the link to view the gift ceremony: youtube.com/watch?v=xMNXgfhyDfg

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