Engelstad Family Foundation
Gives Largest Donation in CSN History

At fall convocation, the CSN Foundation announced an $8.2 million gift from the Engelstad Family Foundation to the College’s School of Health Sciences. This is the largest gift in CSN’s 37-year history.

Ralph Engelstad’s daughter Kris McGarry speaks about the donation.

To honor the Engelstad Family Foundation, CSN will rename the College’s health sciences area to the Ralph and Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences, which includes the Department of Dental Sciences, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services, Department of Health Related Professions and Department of Nursing. This will be the first named school at the College.


Robbie Graham, Chair of the
CSN Foundation Board of Trustees rings the Foundation bell eight times to signify each of the million dollars the Engelstad family donated.

The gift, which is scheduled for review by the Board of Regents at their October meeting, will allow the Cardiorespiratory Sciences Program to double its space and the number of students enrolled. It will give CSN the resources to create the top respiratory and cardio training facilities in the nation and result in highly trained respiratory care practitioners and cardiac technicians, who will care for Southern Nevadans.

“Our family has seen the suffering lung cancer inflicts and knows quality health care and caring health care professionals are crucial to patients and the families of those afflicted. The Engelstad Family Foundation hopes this gift will help Southern Nevadans diagnosed with lung disease receive better care,” said Betty Engelstad, widow of Ralph Engelstad. “We are very proud to have this school named in our honor and to increase the number of cardiac technicians and respiratory care practitioners in our community.”


Students from CSN’s Cardiorespiratory Program give their thanks for the donation.

Ralph Engelstad, owner of the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino, passed away in 2002 at the age of 72, following a battle with lung cancer – the number one cancer killer in the United States and a growing problem in Nevada. The family has been a steadfast supporter of education and is dedicated to helping find a cure for lung cancer. In 2006, the Engelstad Family Foundation gave a $15 million gift to the Nevada Cancer Institute for the advancement of scientific research, screening and treatment targeted toward lung cancer.

“The Engelstad family’s generous gift today is a transformational moment in the history of the College. The naming of the Ralph and Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences will commemorate this show of support and always remind us of the Engelstad’s role in making this College nationally renowned for nursing

The cardiorespiratory students unveil their new T-shirts for the upcoming lung walk. They will be known as Team Engelstad.

cardiorespiratory sciences and other health-care related professional training,” said CSN President Dr. Michael D. Richards. “At a time when state funding is scarce, we are grateful to the Engelstad family for strengthening these programs and helping CSN to obtain academic excellence.”

The Engelstad gift will fund and equip a 10,000-square-foot, two-story addition to the health sciences building on the Charleston campus, currently known as building ‘K.’ The donation will create a $1-million scholarship endowment for health science students and provide operations funding for new faculty and faculty training. A small portion will fund the research and planning for a bachelor degree program for respiratory and cardiac care education.

Faculty and staff give a standing ovation at the announcement of the $8.2 million donation to the School of Health Sciences.

“CSN students will reap the true benefits of the Engelstad’s generosity, learning in an environment that is a national bench mark,” said Robbie Graham, President of NTC Global Holding Group and Chair of the CSN Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “The Engelstad family will have been the catalyst that launched CSN health sciences programs to that next level.”

 

 
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