Last year, as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations, Dean Anna McDaniel was honored to announce that esteemed alumna Linda Aiken, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, FRCN, had committed $1 million to endow the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship to support excellence in nursing research at the College of Nursing.

To honor his sister’s career and legacy, Aiken’s brother, William Harman (BSBA 1971) and his wife Cheryl committed a $50,000 gift to enhance the professorship fund. College of Nursing Dean Anna McDaniel currently holds the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship.

Will and Cheryl, both UF alumni, are enthusiastic Gators. Will was a catcher on the Gator baseball team, graduated from the UF College of Business, and went on to establish a successful business in South Florida. Will and Cheryl have been stalwart supporters of Aiken’s nursing career, being present at important celebrations at the College of Nursing including the awarding of Aiken’s UF Honorary degree. Will and Cheryl contributed to the completion of the Dorothy Smith Chair in the College in honor of their mother, Betty Warner, and were at the celebration of the naming of a classroom in her honor.

“Will and Cheryl’s contribution to the Linda Harman Aiken professorship is a statement of their love for me and our family, and their abiding gratitude to the University of Florida for launching all the Harman siblings into successful careers and happy lives,” Aiken said.

Aiken is the Director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, and the Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor of Nursing and Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. She conducts research on the health care workforce and quality of health care in the U.S. and globally, and is the author of more than 300 scientific papers.

The college’s goal is to raise an additional $1 million to elevate this prestigious faculty position to chair status. Endowed Chairs make it possible for UF to attract the very best scientists to help our nation and our state address critical challenges, and in health care, there are many. Endowed Chairs are permanent, create a lasting contribution to the University of Florida, and provide enduring recognition of their namesakes, in this case, Linda Harman Aiken, who is one of nursing’s most revered and influential leaders and scientists.

Aiken, who was mentored by founding dean Dorothy Smith, was at the forefront of elevating the Dorothy Smith Professorship to chair status at the College of Nursing. If you are interested in contributing to the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship, contact Anna Harper, Interim Executive Director of Advancement, at 352-273-6360 or aemiller@ufl.edu.