Mastrocola Gift Supports Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Students, Honors Family Legacy

Nursing is not just a profession in Judy Mastrocola's family. It's a powerful legacy that continues to inspire new generations.

A new scholarship will ensure that legacy expands beyond their family. Frank and Judy Mastrocola have generously gifted the U of A College of Education and Health Professions with a $50,000 endowed scholarship to support students entering the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing.

The Al and Clarice Boles Endowed Scholarship in Nursing is named in honor of Judy's parents, who are originally from Arkansas. Her mother graduated from Duke University as a medical technician in 1949. Her aunt served as the director of nursing at Chickasawba Hospital in Blytheville, and her daughter, as well as their niece, became RNs. Frank and Judy's daughter is an ICU nurse at Georgetown University Medical Center's medical-surgical unit in Washington, D.C.

Clarice and Al Boles

Judy, who graduated from the U of A in 1980, planned to become a nurse but switched gears. However, her support of the profession has been unwavering through the years. This most recent scholarship is especially meaningful in paying tribute to her family's nursing roots. The Mastrocolas know it will have a far-reaching effect not only on the nursing recipients but also on the lives of all those they will impact in the future.

"I see nurses as being on the front line of health care," Judy said. "Their attention can make all the difference in a patient's recovery."

College of Education and Health Professions Dean Kate Mamiseishvili expressed sincere appreciation for the Mastrocolas' generosity, which will improve lives for generations to come. "We are deeply grateful to them for their belief in the power of nursing," she said. "We are honored that our Eleanor Mann School of Nursing will become part of their family's legacy."

Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement, added, "Frank and Judy are honoring a family legacy that has always been close to the work of caring for others. This scholarship will directly support students preparing for a profession that demands both skill and compassion, which play a critical role in patient outcomes and in the strength of our healthcare system. We're grateful for their investment in students who will invest in the health and well-being of patients in their hour of need."

The nursing scholarship was also inspired, in part, by Judy's friendship with Tommy Van Zandt. They were both from Fort Smith, attended the U of A and moved to Dallas after graduating. In 2009, Tommy was paralyzed in an accident and needed around-the-clock assistance for the next 15 years. The Robyn and Tommy Van Zandt Scholarship for Nursing was created to support U of A nursing students working with home health care.

"Since their scholarship was fully funded, we decided to fund one for nursing students," Judy said.

When asked what she thought her parents would say to the first nursing scholarship recipient, she said, "You have the opportunity to turn someone's health and life around. Think of them as a family member."