A gift given to Dickinson State University by Dale and Glenice Hansen two years ago began helping the university’s nursing students this fall.
The Glenice Hansen Nursing Center received a $100,000 donation made by the Hansens in 2021. The gift, the largest ever made to the university’s Nursing Department, supported the creation of simulation labs and remodeled classroom space in Klinefelter Hall.
“This is huge and the spaces are amazing,” said Lucy Meyer, chair of the Department of Nursing. “We are ever so grateful for their donation.”
Glenice Hansen was part of the Nursing Department from 1968-1981, first as a faculty member and later as department chair. Dale Hansen was a Dickinson dentist until his retirement. Dale served on the DSU Heritage Foundation board of directors. Neither attended Dickinson State but felt the need to give back to the community in which they made their home and raised their children.
“Dickinson has been very good to both of us,” Glenice said. “We came here in ’66 but did not plan to make this our permanent home. Dale set up a dental practice and it went very well. We felt we should give something back to the community.”
“We thank Dale and Glenice for the gift they made to the nursing program,” DSU Heritage Foundation Executive Director Ty Orton said. “With their help, we have updated and added equipment that will benefit our students as they prepare for careers in the medical field. Gifts like these are important to accomplishing the university’s mission.”
When Glenice heard of the Nursing Department’s need for new equipment and space, she and Dale quickly stepped in with the gift. Their donation allowed DSU to transform the nursing department into a world-class health care training site that will provide students with the most advanced technology available anywhere in the region.
“There was some equipment that they could use,” Glenice said. “We just called it Mrs. Chase; it was just a big doll. It was for the learning experience of the students.”
The new simulation labs include two Victoria Advanced Obstetric Patient Simulators, each valued at more than $100,000. Other enhancements include labs, control and debriefing rooms and skills labs in remodeled classrooms.
“Glenice and Dale’s donation initiated an amazing chain of events and led to the creation of simulation labs that will accommodate the educational needs of many current and future students,” Meyer said. “It also gives us an opportunity to work with the community and start partnerships with other clinical agencies.”
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