A $100,000 gift from Matt and Becky Totzke is creating new nursing scholarships at Penn State Behrend, helping support the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Starting this fall, the scholarships will support third- and fourth-year nursing students, as well as those enrolled in Behrend’s new second-degree nursing program, which offers an accelerated path for career changers.
Inspired by Becky Totzke’s career as a nurse and educator, the Totzkes say they hope to help address the growing demand for skilled nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% increase in demand for registered nurses by 2031.
Matt Totzke, a 1996 Behrend graduate and CEO of Big Ideas Learning, has been a strong advocate for student support. Becky Totzke, a senior clinical development specialist at UPMC Hamot, has also been honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in 2018.
Behrend Chancellor Ralph Ford praised the gift, calling it a powerful example of how alumni can help shape the future.