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Gray, Dean V. Ruth and Mr. William Endowed Scholarship for Nurse Anesthetist Students

The Dean V. Ruth and Mr. William Gray Endowed Scholarship for Nurse Anesthetist Students was originally established in 1993 by Dr. V. Ruth and Mr. William A. Gray as the Dean V. Ruth Gray Scholarship in Nursing. In 2015, the scholarship’s name changed to the Dean V. Ruth and Mr. William A. Gray Scholarship in Nursing. The scholarship underwent another revision in 2024, aiming to provide benefits specifically to nursing students enrolled in The University of Akron School of Nursing’s Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Founded in 1967, The University of Akron School of Nursing (formerly the College of Nursing) has a long tradition of excellence. Dean V. Ruth Gray was the fourth Dean of the College, and she brought to her position compassion, creativity, and a strong belief in nursing education. Driven by Dr. Gray’s deep passion for nursing, especially nurse anesthesia, she and her husband were motivated to create a scholarship. Initially, the scholarship supported undergraduate nursing students; however, the 2024 revision of the scholarship was designed to support and aid present-day nurse anesthetist students in their pursuit of completing the doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia.

The Nurse Anesthesia Program at Akron has a rich and impactful history, dating back to its inception in 1992 as a master’s program. Its origins can be traced back to a certificate program at Aultman Hospital. Dr. V. Ruth Gray, serving as the Dean in 1992, played a crucial role in establishing the program at Akron.

The program's first class, consisting of 14 students, commenced in 1992, and they proudly graduated under the guidance of Dr. Gray in 1994. Over the years, the program has grown significantly, now accommodating 36-40 students per class. Additionally, the number of clinical sites has expanded from four to an impressive 49, covering the entire state of Ohio.

Since its inception, the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Akron has significantly impacted the nursing field. With 905 graduates from 1994 to 2023, the majority of whom remain in Ohio, the program has contributed extensively to the healthcare workforce in the state.

Currently, the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Akron is the largest program in Ohio, both in terms of the number of students and the breadth of clinical sites it offers. Furthermore, the program's exceptional first-time pass rate of 99% on board exams and a remarkable zero percent attrition rate over the last seven years highlight its commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Eligible recipients of The Dean V. Ruth and Mr. William A. Gray Endowed Scholarship for Nurse Anesthetist Students must be enrolled in the nurse anesthesia track in С»ÆƬÊÓƵ’s School of Nursing. The scholarship is merit based; thus, recipients should have a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

Recipients shall be selected by anesthesia faculty. The number of scholarships and award amounts will be determined each year as funds are available. The Dean V. Ruth and Mr. William A. Gray Endowed Scholarship for Nurse Anesthetist Students shall be applied to tuition and fees.

To make a tax-deductible gift to this scholarship, please visit С»ÆƬÊÓƵ’s . Select “A different designation” from the drop-down menu and enter “Dean V. Ruth Gray Scholarship” in the text box. Thank you!