The American Nurses Association warns that the U.S. could be short more than 1.2 million registered nurses by 2030—a deficit colliding with an aging population and a wave of retirements. The response can’t be a simple head-count triage. It requires sustained investment in nursing education, leadership, and the institutions that cultivate both.

This is why Excelsior University’s School of Nursing landing a legacy gift from Professor Larry Purnell matters beyond campus borders. The contribution is designed to strengthen the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, amplifying its ability to educate, mentor, and credential the professionals the healthcare system urgently needs.

“Investing in the future of nursing education has always been close to my heart, and it is an honor to contribute to Excelsior University’s School of Nursing,” Purnell said. “This legacy gift represents my unwavering commitment to advancing health care through education and leadership.”

For over half a century, Excelsior has established a reputation for providing accessible higher education. It now serves upward of 25,000 students a year—working adults, military veterans, and career changers seeking flexible, accredited pathways into healthcare. Its nursing programs are regularly recognized for affordability and workforce readiness, positioning the university to help close persistent gaps in training at a moment of national need.

Purnell’s ties to Excelsior are long-running. “Throughout my life and career, I’ve maintained such a close connection to Excelsior because I believe strongly in the institution’s mission to promote lifelong learning and educational opportunity,” he noted. “My contribution reflects my pride in being part of the legacy of Excelsior University, and my faith in its continued future as a global leader in health care education.”

The point, he insists, isn’t nameplate prestige. “The naming of the Purnell Executive Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is particularly a humbling tribute, and I hope it inspires others to join in shaping the next generation of health care professionals.”

If the nursing shortfall is to be addressed, it will require a coalition of this kind—universities collaborating with faculty, alumni, employers, and private supporters. Purnell’s gift is a vote of confidence in that model, and a commitment to ensuring Excelsior continues to graduate practitioners ready to serve communities today, tomorrow, and in the years ahead.