BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The IWU School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SoNHS) has won $1 million in federal earmarks for improvements to Stevenson Hall. Funding awarded to the Illinois Wesleyan University Nursing and Health Sciences Innovation Program will support student success by renovating Stevenson Hall and bringing updated technology to classrooms and laboratories.
Cutting-edge patient simulation manikins used by nursing students will be updated with new models, each of which can cost nearly $100,000. Classroom technology upgrades will include wall-mounted TV screens to replace ceiling-mounted projectors, and Stevenson’s collection of high-fidelity,
The planned renovations will also provide a remodeled layout on Stevenson's second floor to provide more open, collaborative faculty and student learning spaces.
The funding provided by the federal Department of Education was secured with the help of Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.
“Durbin is a big supporter of the nursing profession,” said Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Amber Kujath ‘97. “He has been really good to nursing by securing funds for institutions in up-state and down-state Illinois.”
The Nursing and Health Sciences Innovation Program is in the process of prioritizing which technology will best support the nursing labs. Planning for the student success programs and renovations to Stevenson Hall will be underway this summer.