A Duke alumni couple has made an anonymous bequest of $15 million to Duke University, most of which will support scholarships for students pursuing degrees at Duke University School of Nursing, Duke Divinity School and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.

The School of Nursing and Trinity will each receive $5 million to endow scholarships, while Duke Divinity School will receive $4 million to endow scholarships and an additional $1 million to develop new, innovative courses and programs.

The bequest, which is primarily focused on financial aid, comes at an important point in the university’s strategic journey. As Duke prepares to celebrate its first 100 years and plan for its next 100, President Vincent E. Price said he is committed to investing in students and boosting financial aid.

“We are deeply grateful for this remarkable gift, which will support transformational opportunities for students across our campus,” Price said. “It will allow Duke to remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the financial needs of our students.”

The anonymous donors are both Duke alumni—one a graduate of Duke University School of Nursing and one of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. They have since come to be involved with Duke Divinity School as well through a strong commitment to their faith.

“We are pleased to support the schools that prepare students who will be future care providers as well as leaders in the church, academy, and other professions,” the donors said. “Duke students are committed to developing their ability to care for people, in different ways, and to improve our communities and broader society. We are grateful to play a role in their development.”

Duke University is ranked a top 10 undergraduate institution by U.S. News and World Report, while the School of Nursing is ranked #2 among all U.S. graduate schools of nursing. Duke Divinity School is among the top five divinity and theology schools in the world, according to the influential QS World University Rankings.

The commitment to endow a total of $14 million in scholarships also comes at a pivotal time for each of the programs as they pursue cutting-edge research and pedagogical innovation to prepare Trinity undergraduates, clergypersons, and nurses for the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. For the School of Nursing, in particular, the gift will fuel strategic initiatives to expand student capacity and improve access.

“I am extremely grateful for this generous investment by our donors, which brings visibility to nursing and our work to advance health and social equity,” said Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, dean of Duke University School of Nursing. “Their gift will enable us to increase financial aid for students entering nursing, ultimately addressing the nursing workforce shortage and improving health outcomes.