Raymond C. Lauver — modestly raised in rural Pennsylvania in the 1930s — attended a one-room schoolhouse in a county without any public libraries. Had it not been for the generous support of scholarships, his dream of earning a degree at Susquehanna University would not have been possible. With deep gratitude and a longing to give back, Lauver sought to make higher education more accessible to others. One of his daughters, Diane Lauver, had mentored first-generation nursing students and suggested that he create an endowed fund at the UW–Madison School of Nursing. The Lauver Scholarship Fund, a Great People Scholarship, has supported promising Badgers since 2014. Raymond Lauver passed away in April 2022, but his memory and legacy live on through the students who benefit from his benevolence.
“We all have needed support, and everyone has the ability to be there for others,” says recipient Amanda Cook ’24. “Giving back to your community can come in many forms, from financial donations to sharing your experiences with others. Throughout my time in the program, I have always felt supported in the nursing community, and I hope to give back to people who are in my same position however I can.”