Ira P. Gunn Nurse Endowment Fund

Honoring the founder of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at UB, this fund supports a variety of student-focused activities within the School of Nursing.

In addition to founding the program at UB, Ira P. Gunn was a premiere authority in the field of nurse anesthesia, and a prolific writer and educator. She served as consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, as well as the UB School of Nursing.

This fund, which honors Gunn's legacy, provides support for student attendance at professional conferences, guest lectures, student research, purchasing of equipment for the program and student recognition awards. The fund was established in 2011 (the year Gunn passed away) by UB Nursing faculty member Thomas Obst, PhD, CRNA, along with other faculty, UB Nursing Anesthesia alumni, CRNAs and other nursing professionals.

For more than 80 years, UB Nursing has provided high-quality nursing education and conducted real-world research. Now, we’re rising to meet new challenges—seeking faculty who are thought leaders and innovative scientists, pioneering interprofessional approaches to improve health and increasing support for students at every level. With your investment, we will transform and define the future of nursing education and clinical care. Lives and health are at stake, and your support will ensure our nurses are there.

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Other School of Nursing Funds

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UB Fund for the School of Nursing
8/24/26
At the School of Nursing, students engage in experiential learning in collaborative community settings, in the classroom, and with each other. Interprofessional opportunities abound within the classroom, simulation labs and on cultural exchanges promoting an atmosphere that encourages a collaborative exchange of ideas.
Ira P. Gunn Nurse Endowment Fund
8/24/26
In addition to founding the program at UB, Ira P. Gunn was a premiere authority in the field of nurse anesthesia, and a prolific writer and educator. She served as consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, as well as the UB School of Nursing.
School of Nursing Scholarship Fund
8/24/26
Scholarships are among the most valuable forms of aid students can receive during their college career and are designed to support students who have exceptional academic records and potential and established need.
Grace Dean Fund
8/24/26
The fund will provide financial assistance to PhD students in the school who are conducting nursing research. The recipient will be a student that demonstrates the same drive that Grace possessed to be a successful researcher, teacher, leader and mentor.

The funding will be used to cover the cost of activities including, but not limited to, attending conferences, advancing research projects, celebrating success, mentoring, traveling to share research and other activities that exemplify Grace's passion for research.
Julia Buscaglia Student Support Fund
8/24/26
Emergencies involve circumstances which are beyond the student’s control, including a death in the family, accident, loss of property, loss of income or unanticipated educational expenses. These funds offer temporary one-time financial assistance for immediate and current emergency situations.
Ethan Christian Memorial Award Fund
8/24/26
The Ethan Christian Memorial Award Fund was established by Dean and Patricia Christian in order to honor the memory of their son Ethan, UB School of Nursing Class of 2012.
Florence Nightingale Fund
8/24/26
The Florence Nightingale Fund plays a pivotal role in strengthening research and other activities within the School of Nursing.
Dr. Coletta A. Klug Fund
8/24/26
The Coletta A. Klug Fund provides awards to support undergraduate and graduate students who wish to enhance their knowledge and clinical skills in psychiatric mental health nursing, thereby promoting career development in this specialty area of nursing practice.
Mecca S. Cranley Nursing Research Mentorship Award
8/24/26
This endowment provides one-year awards to support short-term research mentorships for School of Nursing faculty members.
Tracey I. Wheeler Scholarship
8/24/26
In 2015 Robert Wheeler, who received a degree in exercise science from UB, established the Tracey I. Wheeler Scholarship. This endowed fund at the School of Nursing is in honor of his late wife who passed away of sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 45. Tracey, a registered nurse who specialzed in critical care, received an associate nursing degree from Sisters Hospital and was known for the exceptional care she gave and the close relationships she formed with patients.
Carol S. Brewer Global Health Fund
8/24/26
The fund will enhance school efforts to improve global health: educating others about health issues in the U.S. and other countries, fostering our understanding of other cultures, and providing service-learning and research opportunities abroad to students and faculty members.
School of Nursing Fund for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
8/24/26
At the School of Nursing, we are committed to fostering an environment that supports all individuals and values diversity, inclusion and equity. These elements are fundamental to our core values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect for diverse backgrounds and opinions, and excellence.

News from the School of Nursing

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UB School of Nursing Celebrates 90th Anniversary, Announces 2026 Award Winners
9/16/26
The UB School of Nursing 2026 alumni award recipients were honored at the 90th anniversary gala celebration on Sept. 23. The ceremony kicked off the SON's 90th anniversary programming.
2025 School of Nursing Awards
9/2/25
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 University at Buffalo School of Nursing alumni awards.
A True-Blue Nurse: An RN to BS Grad and Current DNP Student Shares Her UB Nursing Journey
6/12/24
An alumna of our No. 1 ranked RN to BS program and current family nurse practitioner student discusses the impact of UB on her nursing career.
2024 School of Nursing Awards
3/20/24
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 University at Buffalo School of Nursing alumni awards.
2023 School of Nursing Awards
5/5/23
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 University at Buffalo School of Nursing awards.
PhD Alumnus selected as Fulbright Scholar
3/24/23
Salah Al-Zaiti, PhD ’13, MS ’10, has been selected to receive a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to conduct research abroad. He will travel to Jordan as part of his award.
Pharmaceutical trailblazer and global medical mentor exemplifies the limitless possibilities of a nursing career
12/6/22
Colleen Miller (PhD ‘97, MS ’91) has spent her career lifting the voices and contributions of nurses – and proving their impact and innovation reach far beyond the bedside.