Two donors have given Neumann University $100,000 gifts to endow scholarships for students.

John and Joan Mullen have endowed a scholarship in the name of Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, the university’s longtime vice president for mission and ministry, who retired in June of this year.

This scholarship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to the university’s Catholic Franciscan values and is active in campus ministry.

Preference will be given to a student who immigrated to the United States, as Sr. Marguerite did when she was a young woman.

The first recipient of Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne, OSF, Endowed Scholarship will be selected during the fall 2021 semester.

The Mullen family have long been supporters of Neumann. The campus Mullen Communication Center is named in their honor.

“I’m humbled and honored by the gracious generosity of John Mullen and his family. As an Irish immigrant, who grew up in the vicinity of John’s parents in the west of Ireland, this scholarship is especially meaningful,” Sr. Marguerite said.

Neumann has also received a $100,000 scholarship gift from the Society of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick in partnership with a grant from the Joseph P. Heenan Family Foundation.

This donation will endow the Society of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick Thomas Edward and Agnes Rita Heenan Memorial Nursing Studies Fund.

Scholarships from the fund will provide financial assistance to full-time undergraduate students majoring in nursing. The first recipients will be selected in the spring 2022 semester.

Nursing is the most in-demand program at Neumann, accounting for more than 25 percent of all undergraduate enrollment.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our benefactors,” said Carrie Snyder, vice president for university advancement. “Their philanthropic leadership will make a difference in the lives of our students now and for many years to come.”

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