Ventura College Foundation Receives Nearly $185,000 Gift

VENTURA, Calif. - June 16, 2021 - PRLog -- Ventura College Foundation, which provides financial support to students and programs of Ventura College, received $184,105 from the estate of long-time Ventura College supporter Aurora Loss who passed away in April 2020 at age 102. Loss has a 20-year history of giving to Ventura College Foundation to fund scholarships for Ventura College nursing students.

Loss' donation is divided equally with $92,052 designated for the establishment of the Aurora Loss Scholarship Fund endowment and $92,052 to the college's nursing department for the purchase of medical training equipment. The scholarships will be managed and awarded through the Ventura College Foundation.

An independent and career-driven woman, her career included working at the Pentagon. While in Washington D.C., she became ill and was hospitalized. Doctors minimalized her symptoms but she received the support of a nurse who advocated for her. Loss believed the nurse helped save her life. When Loss eventually relocated to California, she found an opportunity to reciprocate by supporting Ventura College's nursing students.

Dr. Sandra Melton, director of the college's School of Nursing & Allied Health, had the opportunity to take Loss on a tour of the nursing school. "I tell my students that it only takes one nurse to make a difference in a patient's life--and you can be that one. Because of the compassion showed to Aurora so many years ago, she was motivated to make a difference too."

Currently, 151 students are enrolled in the Ventura College two-year nursing program. The program normally enrolls up to 200 students, but the pandemic temporarily limited the number of enrollments.

The nursing program is one of the most expensive on campus. Students must purchase textbooks, uniforms and medical supplies such as stethoscopes, and pay for drug testing, CPR certification and licensing exams. "Scholarships help offset some of these costs," says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. "Aurora attended our annual scholarship award event until she was 100 years old. She thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with scholarship recipients."

The Ventura College nursing program enjoys a 100 percent hiring rate for those graduates seeking employment with the majority of graduating students accepting positions locally. "The generous donations from Aurora Loss will support the degree completion of our nursing students," says Ventura College President Kim Hoffmans who is also a registered nurse. "We are on the cusp of a more widespread shortage in California as current nurses retire. It's gratifying to know that Ventura College is producing the nurses we need now and for the future."

For more information about scholarships and other support services provided by the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.