I am so excited for this issue of Connections magazine. The following pages are brimming with some of the most exciting news in the school’s history.

I’m proud to share that the VCU School of Nursing’s undergraduate program is ranked No. 22 in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings released earlier this fall, up one spot from last year and placing it in the top 4% of all undergraduate nursing programs nationwide. I am also delighted to announce that the school has received the largest gift in its history—a $13 million gift made by Joanne and Bill Conway that will provide need-based scholarships for over 1,000 undergraduate and doctoral nursing students over the next five years. Truly, this is an extraordinary time of recognition and opportunity for our school and its programs. I hope you will enjoy this issue.