Walsh University receives Largest Gift in School History

North Canton, Ohio:  Walsh University today announced a transformational $8.3 million legacy gift, marking the largest current gift in Walsh history. Donated by longtime Walsh University supporters Bill ’64  and Trina Rambo, R.N., the gift will be applied primarily toward advancement in Walsh’s Byers School of Nursing through program development, scholarships and lab updates.

According to one of Walsh’s founding Brothers and second President, Robert Francoeur, FIC, Bill was Walsh’s first applicant in school history. Since then, Bill has felt the call to give back to his alma mater and honor his mentor Br. Robert Francoeur’s memory.

“This gift is a testament to the Brothers of Christian Instruction and the education that I received at Walsh University.  Their belief in me and their commitment to ensuring that I received an education at Walsh is why my family and I are able to establish this legacy gift at my alma mater,” he said.

In total, this legacy gift from the Rambos will support the following strategic initiatives at Walsh:

• Trina Rambo, R.N., Dean’s Chair of the Byers School of Nursing – Supporting the position of the Dean of the Byers School of Nursing, including faculty development and funding research initiatives
• Rambo Family Endowed Scholarship – Providing financial support for students pursuing nursing and other career fields in the health sciences
• Rambo Global Health Scholars Program – Assisting in the travel costs for admitted students as they learn to embrace and navigate the increasing diversity of our landscape with competence and compassion through global travel experiences
• Establishment and Maintaining the Bill Rambo Admissions Center and the Rambo Family Advanced Nursing Lab – Assisting the ongoing maintenance, equipment acquisition, technology, and software to ensure these facilities remain state-of-the-art

Rambo graduated with his bachelor’s degree in history from Walsh in 1964 and went on to join the National Guard. He  enjoyed a 35-year career in the property/casualty insurance business in Ohio, Michigan and Florida, including 15 years as Vice President with Brown & Brown, Inc., and President of their subsidiary MacDuff Underwriters, Inc., before retiring in 2000. Trina retired from nursing in 2004.