Campus Life

UWF announces Earl Hutto Foundation, Inc. endowments to nursing program

The University of West Florida recently received a $250,000 gift commitment from The Earl Hutto Foundation, Inc. to name the Earl and Nancy Hutto Master of Science in Nursing program in the UWF School of Nursing in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. The gift will create a scholarship for endowment for students pursuing a graduate degree in nursing and an operational endowment for undergraduate and graduate UWF School of Nursing students.

The University of West Florida recently received a $250,000 gift commitment from The Earl Hutto Foundation, Inc. to name the Earl and Nancy Hutto Master of Science in Nursing program in the UWF School of Nursing in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. The gift will create a scholarship for endowment for students pursuing a graduate degree in nursing and an operational endowment for undergraduate and graduate UWF School of Nursing students.

“We are very grateful for the support and trust that Earl and Nancy Hutto have given us,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “This gift allows us to shape the future of nursing education and will enrich our ability to prepare nursing leaders who will care for our families, friends and neighbors for years to come.”

A Navy veteran, Earl Hutto was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1972 and served three terms. After six years in the Florida Legislature, he was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1978 and served eight terms until he retired. Throughout his eight terms in Congress, he was known for his strong leadership on national defense issues and traditional values. The Huttos are active members of the Pensacola community and at their church, First Baptist Church of Pensacola. Earl also served as the first sports director at WEAR-TV in the 1950s.

“Earl and Nancy Hutto have a long history of shared service to Northwest Florida,” said Howard Reddy, vice president of university advancement. “Earl Hutto’s distinguished career, and now this gift to the University, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to our community.”

This gift commitment will support the delivery of high impact practice learning experiences for both undergraduate and graduate nursing students, including hands-on clinical fellowships, professional development opportunities such as community outreach events and community health projects, as well as research. The gift will also fund facility improvements and equipment purchases that enhance the learning environment for undergraduate and graduate nursing students.  

“This gift will have a tremendous impact on the education and experiences provided to UWF School of Nursing students,” said Dr. Denise Seabert, incoming dean of the UWF Usha Kundu MD, College of Health. “We are most appreciative of the Huttos’ generosity and their contribution to enhance educational and community health engagement opportunities for our students.”

The Huttos share a common vision with the UWF School of Nursing to enrich lives and improve health care in the community. The M.S.N. is an innovative and flexible program that prepares the professional nurse for leadership, advanced nursing roles and doctoral studies, including a cooperative doctorate with the University of Florida. Students pursuing an M.S.N. may select from one of three areas of specialization: nursing education, nurse executive or family nurse practitioner.

“Good nurses make such a positive impact on the patients they serve,” Earl Hutto said. “It is our hope that nurses with a strong desire to continue helping others and strengthen their skills will get the help they need to achieve their educational goals.

Earl Hutto’s mother, Ellie Hutto, inspired the Huttos’ gift to the UWF School of Nursing. Even though she did not have the opportunity to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse, she cared deeply for her family and many friends in their impoverished rural Alabama community.

We believe nursing is a special calling,” Nancy Hutto said. “We are very happy to play a part in the good work UWF is doing to prepare their students to serve our community.

To learn more about the UWF School of Nursing in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/nursing.