Gift Supports Bethel and a Heritage of Christian Nursing

On May 4, at the 100th anniversary celebration of the founding of Mounds-Midway School of Nursing, it was announced that Mary Jo Monson, R.N., of North Oaks, Minn., has made a gift of $1 million to Bethel University. Bethel’s Christian nursing program began in part with funding from Mounds-Midway when that school closed in the 1980s. Monson, who received her nurses training at Mounds-Midway, has been a friend and supporter of Bethel since that time.

Monson’s generous gift is part of the Taking the Next Step comprehensive resource campaign, which aims to address facility and financial needs for Bethel. She has designated half of her contribution for the University Commons, Bethel’s first student center; and half toward the endowment for long-term support.

Bethel University President George K. Brushaber has announced that he will ask the Board of Trustees to approve the creation of a Mounds-Midway School of Nursing room as a permanent part of the new University Commons, scheduled for completion in 2009. The room would recognize the legacy of Mounds-Midway School of Nursing and its excellence in nursing education and Christian compassion and care that were the hallmarks of the Mounds-Midway nursing program and its ties to Bethel. In addition to initial aid for Bethel’s nursing program, current nursing students benefit from two Mounds-Midway endowed scholarships.

Among other civic and philanthropic work, Mary Jo Monson is chair of the Mounds-Midway School of Nursing Historical Society in St. Paul and also serves on the Baptist General Conference History Center Steering Committee. Her husband is David Monson, a local insurance executive and chair of Bethel’s Taking the Next Step campaign, as well as a former Bethel trustee and governor of the Bethel Foundation. All five of their children attended what is now Bethel University.