Mission-driven support for the next generation of nurse innovators
In a bright corner of UConn’s new DeLuca Hall, a group of students gather around worktables scattered with medical devices, 3D-printed prototypes, and digital screens. The hum of creativity fills the air as future nurses collaborate on solutions that will shape patient care for years to come. This scene marks a new era — made possible by the Beekley Family Foundation’s $1 million gift supporting the Makerspace at the Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing. This new space will be designed to ignite hands-on innovation and transform learning into real-world impact.
The Beekley Makerspace will be a hub for ideas that unite science and compassion. Equipped with advanced technology including rapid-prototyping equipment and collaborative software, it will enable students to test, refine, and bring their ideas to life. Projects can range from accessible medical devices to workflow solutions that improve patient safety, all shaped by the needs and experiences of learners and informed by the health systems and communities they serve.
“The Beekley Makerspace is where innovation becomes tangible,” says Nat Messina, President of the Beekley Family Foundation. “Our hope is that every student who walks through its doors feels inspired to solve problems, collaborate, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.”
“The Beekley Makerspace represents an extraordinary investment in our students and their potential,” said Dean Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN. “This space will give UConn nurses the opportunity to transform ideas into action and prepare them to lead the future of healthcare with creativity, compassion, and confidence.”
The Beekley Makerspace represents an extraordinary investment in our students and their potential. This space will give UConn nurses the opportunity to transform ideas into action and prepare them to lead the future of healthcare with creativity, compassion, and confidence.
— School of Nursing Dean Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN
Established by the late W. Mason Beekley and now stewarded by his four daughters, The Beekley Family Foundation’s approach to philanthropy centers on empowering learners and advancing health outcomes — the Makerspace builds on their longstanding tradition of mission-aligned investment at UConn.
The Beekley Family Foundation has previously funded the Beekley Imaging Lab at UConn Health, offering the latest technologies to detect cancer, including all-digital 3D mammography and a computer-aided detection system. Their generosity also supported innovative biomedical engineering research at UConn Health, notably providing startup funding for the development of 3D breast prosthetics for mastectomy patients and breast cancer survivors at the Beekley Lab for Biosymmetrix.
The Makerspace represents the newest chapter in the Beekley Family Foundation’s legacy of philanthropy, exemplifying their unwavering dedication to advancing health education, patient care, and innovation.
When the Beekley Makerspace opens its doors, it is expected to drive new approaches to patient care, foster a culture of experimentation, and prepare students to lead in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Faculty envision a hub where students learn by doing, connect with mentors, and develop solutions that travel from classroom to clinic — strengthening both academic and community health outcomes.
“The Beekley Family Foundation’s gift stands as a testament to the power of values-driven philanthropy,” said Amy Yancey, CEO of the UConn Foundation. “Its impact will be felt long after the dedication ceremony, wherever UConn nurses deliver care and innovation to those who need it most.”
The Beekley Family Foundation’s gift stands as a testament to the power of values-driven philanthropy. Its impact will be felt long after the dedication ceremony, wherever UConn nurses deliver care and innovation to those who need it most.
— Amy Yancey, UConn Foundation President and CEO
By investing in a space where students can turn ideas into action, the Beekley Family Foundation is helping prepare the next generation of nurses to lead with creativity, compassion, and purpose.