Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University

Purple Heart space dedication Monday to feature Wounded Warrior, JU student veteran Sean Karpf

Posted on

To pay tribute to its active-duty and veteran students who are recipients of the Purple Heart medal and who made great sacrifices to ensure U.S. citizens’ freedoms, Jacksonville University is dedicating two parking spots on campus in collaboration with the local Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 524.

The ceremony takes place at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 3, on the campus at 2800 University Blvd. N. and will include remarks from JU representatives, local Purple Heart chapter veterans and Purple Heart student veterans.

JU student Sean Karpf, who spent 17 months in recovery after an IED explosion in Afghanistan resulted in a left below-the-knee amputation and a traumatic brain injury, will make remarks. Karpf, who received his Purple Heart in 2013, is a frequent speaker and former member of the U.S. Army’s Warrior Games Team.

One of the dedicated JU parking spots is in front of the Council building across from Historic Swisher Gymnasium, and a special Purple Heart parking sign will be placed there for Monday’s event. The other sign will be placed in the parking lot in front of the Gooding building near the front of campus. The signs are being donated by the local Purple Heart chapter.

There are an estimated 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients nationwide. More than 10 JU students are medal recipients.

For more information, contact JU News Director Phillip J. Milano at (904) 256-7042, [email protected].

Purple Heart space dedication Monday to feature Wounded Warrior, JU student veteran Sean Karpf

Posted on

To pay tribute to its active-duty and veteran students who are recipients of the Purple Heart medal and who made great sacrifices to ensure U.S. citizens’ freedoms, Jacksonville University is dedicating two parking spots on campus in collaboration with the local Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 524.
The ceremony takes place at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 3, on the campus at 2800 University Blvd. N. and will include remarks from JU representatives, local Purple Heart chapter veterans and Purple Heart student veterans.
JU student Sean Karpf, who spent 17 months in recovery after an IED explosion in Afghanistan resulted in a left below-the-knee amputation and a traumatic brain injury, will make remarks. Karpf, who received his Purple Heart in 2013, is a frequent speaker and former member of the U.S. Army’s Warrior Games Team.
One of the dedicated JU parking spots is in front of the Council building across from Historic Swisher Gymnasium, and a special Purple Heart parking sign will be placed there for Monday’s event. The other sign will be placed in the parking lot in front of the Gooding building near the front of campus. The signs are being donated by the local Purple Heart chapter.
There are an estimated 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients nationwide. More than 10 JU students are medal recipients.

Jacksonville University School of Nursing shines brighter with $3.3 million in gifts and naming

Posted on

New name, unrivaled excellence in care: Keigwin School of Nursing shines
brighter with $3.3 million in gifts and naming by Beverly and Jack Keigwin

Beverly and Jack Keigwin with JU President Tim CostRESIZE (1)

Beverly and Jack Keigwin with JU President Tim Cost

Jacksonville University is home to the newly established Keigwin School of Nursing, thanks to gifts including $3 million from Beverly and Jack Keigwin, the University announced Wednesday. The Keigwins’ donation is the largest in the Nursing school’s 36-year history.
Additional investments in the program and in the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences are strengthening the quality of education and preparation JU students receive. The Keigwin School of Nursing alumni already enjoy one of the region’s highest employment placement rates.
Trustee, executive-in-residence and friend to the University Jack Keigwin said the gift is one of the most meaningful ones he and his wife have made.
“As a family we believe that every great city has an outstanding private university, and Jacksonville University is no exception,” he said. “Now the Keigwin School, with its world-class faculty, will enhance the quality of healthcare in our community for our students, the JU Family and our region.”
Beverly Keigwin has devoted her time, energy and passion to the School of Nursing’s students, and has a personal reason for wanting to help it shine.
“As a former nurse, I want the students to have a true home on campus where they can learn in a cutting edge environment with compassionate faculty and hands on training. They are ready when they leave JU,” she said.
The investment from the Keigwins as part of the University’s ASPIRE Campaign includes a just-announced $2 million gift that will be used to promote faculty excellence, grow student scholarships, recruit top educators and guest lecturers, enhance curriculum and add even more state-of-the-art technology.
“We are extremely grateful for this high-impact donation from Jack and Beverly Keigwin, who are among our region’s most distinguished citizens and have shown long-term commitment to Jacksonville University and its premier Nursing programs,” said JU President Tim Cost. “This transformational investment will ensure that we achieve our mission as we continue to provide rigorous Nursing educational experiences that benefit students, area patients and the community.”
The Keigwin funding helps bolster a key pillar of the University’s $120 million ASPIRE Campaign, which has raised nearly $109 million toward its 2020 goal. In recent weeks several additional charitable donations will benefit the Brooks Rehabilitation College and the Keigwin School of Nursing, including:

  • $100,000 from the Alfred I. duPont Educational and Charitable Fund to establish the Alfred I. duPont Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund.
  • More than $50,000 committed for the Dr. Patricia Ann Schroeder Endowed Scholarship Fund for a student majoring in pre-professional studies or a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
  • More than $26,000 from the friends and family, many of whom are JU alumni, of Jean Bianchi for the Bianchi Memorial Scholarship Fund benefiting a nursing student.

Dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, Dr. Christine Sapienza, said it is an honor to have the Keigwin name associated with JU’s School of Nursing.
“The Keigwins have been advocates and significant supporters of Jacksonville University and higher education in general,” she said. “Jack and Beverly Keigwin are towers of strength, and the faculty and staff admire their generosity, hard work and achievements, and are privileged to have their confidence in us to continue our vision for continued excellence in exemplary educational nursing training experiences.”
The school will continue to focus heavily on efforts that create successful student outcomes, Sapienza added.
“We are so proud to be representing the Keigwins now and in the future, as we continue to grow and mature as a highly recognized College of Healthcare Sciences.”
The Jacksonville University School of Nursing was established in its current form in 1981 and flourished under the leadership of President Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne. Dr. Kinne serves as the University’s Chancellor Emerita, and turns 100 in May of this year. She celebrated with the Keigwins, President and First Lady Tim and Stephanie Cost, faculty and staff on the riverfront campus as the naming and gifts were announced, and said she couldn’t be more pleased with the school’s growth and reputation.
“This is a very significant development for the school, and very significant not only for our community, but well beyond that, because the school sends our graduates to so many parts of the country and overseas,” Dr. Kinne said. “The quality is always at the top, and I’m so proud of everyone there and what the school has grown to become.”
About the Keigwin School of Nursing
The Keigwin School of Nursing at Jacksonville University is committed to the success of each student as a self-assured, clinically competent, caring professional nurse, who practices in an evolving, complex health care environment, provides leadership to promote health among culturally diverse people and promotes the advancement of nursing knowledge through evidence-based practice and life-long learning. It’s DNP, MSN and BSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Former U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw joins Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Board of Advisors

Posted on

AnderCrenshawPPISMALL2 (1)
Former U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, who represented Florida’s Fourth Congressional District for 16 years and was awarded the U.S. Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award, its highest civilian honor, is joining the Board of Advisors for the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute.
During his tenure, Crenshaw established himself as a respected voice on defense issues and a champion for the military. He fought for key priorities for Northeast Florida and led the way to bring the Jacksonville National Cemetery to the area.
Crenshaw was also instrumental in making Naval Station Mayport the East Coast homeport for all Littoral Combat Ships and Naval Air Station Jacksonville the East Coast home for all P-8 aircraft.
”The Institute is honored to have Ander Crenshaw join the Board of Advisors, and his extraordinary public policy experience, depth and expertise will be an invaluable contribution to the Institute and the Board,” said Rick Mullaney, Director of the Institute.
Prior to Congress, Crenshaw worked in the private sector as an investment banker and served as Florida’s first Republican Senate President. Job creation and economic prosperity for all have been the driving forces behind his public service.
The 25-member Board of Advisors is comprised of some of Florida’s most distinguished business, civic and community leaders, including 15 CEOs from public, private and non-profit organizations.
Crenshaw will attend the Institute’s next board meeting Feb. 16 with special guest and keynote speaker Gwen Graham, former Congresswoman from Florida’s Second Congressional District.
“Jacksonville University is taking its rightful place in Florida for graduate study in public policy, and for advancing discussion of matters of importance in public policy,” said JU President Tim Cost. “Ander Crenshaw has had a distinguished career in Congress, as President of the Senate in the Florida Legislature, and in the private sector as an investment banker. His depth and breadth of experience will add greatly to the mission of JU and the Public Policy Institute.”
About the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute
The Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute offers four graduate degree programs in public policy, including the only Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree in Florida, and prepares its students for diverse career opportunities in the public, privative and non-profit sectors. The Institute seeks to shape the future through preparing a new generation of leaders, public policy expertise, and providing a neutral gathering place for public policy discussion, education and debate. More information is at http://www.ju.edu/ppi.

BIOGRAPHY

The Honorable Ander Crenshaw
Former Congressman Ander Crenshaw was elected to Congress in 2000 and represented Florida’s Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for eight terms. Over the years, he represented 12 counties including Baker, Nassau, and Duval counties. When he retired, he was a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Prior to going to Washington, Crenshaw worked both in the private sector, as an investment banker, and served as an elected official in the State Legislature. His life in public service ultimately led to the Florida State Senate where he served as its first Republican President.

During his tenure in Congress, Crenshaw established himself as a respected voice on defense issues and a champion for our men and women in uniform. He fought for key priorities for Northeast Florida like making Naval Station Mayport the East Coast homeport for all Littoral Combat Ships and Naval Air Station Jacksonville the East Coast station for all P-8 aircraft. These moves not only brought missions and jobs to our Northeast Florida community but also secured the future of both bases from forthcoming BRACs.

Crenshaw led the way to bring the Jacksonville National Cemetery to NE Florida. He fought to make Naval Station Mayport a nuclear aircraft carrier homeport and secured the funding for three of the five required projects to do so. Knowing that at the time, a carrier would not come to Jacksonville, Crenshaw insured that an Amphibious Ready Group, including the Iwo Jima, the New York, and the Fort McHenry were homeported at Mayport.

In 2013, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus recognized Crenshaw’s dedication to the nation’s Sailors and Marines and awarded him the Navy’s highest civilian honor – The Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.

Other projects that are credited to Crenshaw are the U.S. Marine Corps’ purchase of Blount Island to establish its pre-positioning command, the renovation of the Naval Hospital at NAS Jacksonville, the building of both the largest helicopter hangar and largest hangar in the Navy to house the P-8s at NAS and the Navy’s premier fitness and aquatic center at Mayport.

Additionally, he worked to build military housing, high-tech training centers for the LCS and the P-8s, and guided the establishment of the unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 headquarters at NAS. He made sure the Florida National Guard, the Coast Guard and the Customs and Border Protection services received new facilities for their missions.

Originally a member of the House Armed Services, Budget, and Veterans Affairs committees, Crenshaw ended his service as a member of the Appropriations Committee, where he chaired the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, sat on the prestigious Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and served on the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. Additionally, he was a member of the Republican Leadership Whip Team serving as a Deputy Majority Whip.

Representative Crenshaw gained a reputation for being a strong advocate for strengthening and rebuilding our military, enacting responsible and permanent tax relief, and standing up for projects vital to Northeast Florida. Long an advocate of job creation and economic prosperity for Florida, Crenshaw worked to secure projects that benefit the Port of Jacksonville, local beaches, and other important economic drivers.

His major legislative accomplishment was to shepherd the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act through Congress. This legislation affected millions of citizens who have disabilities, as it allows pre-tax, private fund savings accounts to be established for the purpose of supporting the needs of those with special needs.

A third-generation resident of Northeast Florida, Congressman Crenshaw attended Lee High School, the University of Georgia on a basketball scholarship, and later received his law degree from the University of Florida.

Crenshaw and his wife, Kitty, live in Jacksonville. They have two grown daughters and two granddaughters.