School of Nursing offers its first full scholarship thanks to generous donor support

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:54:21 +0000

School of Nursing offers its first full scholarship thanks to generous donor support Taylor Thomas Mon, 04/20/2026 - 11:54

The support of donors has life-changing impacts for 91�� students. An incredible show of generosity by an anonymous donor will provide full scholarship support for an undergraduate student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the College of Public Health’s School of Nursing. The Dr. Barry and Velma Berkey Endowed Scholarship will cover tuition for an entire academic year. This is the first full scholarship at the College of Public Health.

“We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of our donors, whose support has transformative effects on the lives of our students. This extraordinary gift will enable deserving Bachelor of Science in Nursing students to pursue their education without the burden of tuition,” said Dean Melissa Perry. “Such acts of kindness and commitment to education not only honor the legacy of Dr. Barry and Velma Berkey but also inspire our students to strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact in the field of public health and beyond. To our donors, thank you for believing in the power of education and for investing in the future leaders of health care.”

The scholarship was established to honor the late Barry Berkey and his wife, Velma Berkey. Berkey was a well-known psychiatrist, author, and the first clinical director of the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute before he began his long-standing private practice. The first scholarship will be awarded in the fall 2026 semester to a full-time, in-state student who demonstrates high academic performance (minimum 3.5 GPA) and financial need.

The college extends thanks to all our generous donors.

Learn more about how you can give to the College of Public Health at 91��.