College of Nursing PhD students now have additional opportunities for support, thanks to a recent $100,000 donation to establish the Dr. Gloria Pickar Scholarship Fund. UF Engineering alumnus Dan Devine made the gift to establish the scholarship in honor of Gator Nurse Gloria Pickar’s (BSN 1968) contribution as the president and chief academic officer of the company Devine founded, Compass Knowledge Group.

Compass Knowledge Group was a pioneer in distance learning in the 1990s. Pickar — who earned her BSN, master’s and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from the University of Florida — joined Compass in 1999 and helped grow the company among academic partners across the country.

When Pickar retired, Devine wanted to honor her in a special way. Knowing she is passionate about nursing and education, he decided to establish a scholarship in her name at her alma mater.

“I am greatly indebted to Gloria for her inspirational, innovative leadership,” Devine said. “It was a privilege working with her for more than a decade. It is my hope that through this scholarship, Gloria will put her fingerprints further on the College of Nursing through her passion for nursing and education.”

The Dr. Gloria Pickar Scholarship Fund supports PhD nursing students who have an interest in a nursing faculty role following graduation.

“My experience as a Gator Nurse was instrumental in laying the foundation for my own career in education,” Pickar said. “Our profession is in dire need of more nurses and more nursing faculty. I am deeply appreciative of Dan’s generosity and honored to have this scholarship in my name at the College of Nursing to support the future of nursing and health care.”