$1 Million Estate Gift Advances Nursing Scholarships at Seton Hall University

Seton Hall University is pleased to announce a transformative $1 million gift from the Estate of Shirley Croteau, a New Jersey native and devoted registered nurse for more than 50 years. The gift will provide scholarship support to incoming students in the College of Nursing at Seton Hall, expanding access to one of the nation’s top nursing programs.

Ms. Croteau, who passed away in November of 2023, dedicated her life’s work to the profession. She served as chair of the Jersey City RN Alumni Association and the Somerset County Retired Nurses Association, and was widely respected for her commitment to mentorship and service.

Although Croteau isn’t a Seton Hall alumna, she respected the College of Nursing for its academic strength and reputation. Through her estate plans, she chose to invest in the next generation of nurses, ensuring her commitment to care and service would continue well into the future.

The generous bequest advances For All, Forever, Seton Hall’s historic $225 million campaign, and supports its largest priority, Preparing Leaders Now. This pillar of the campaign focuses on expanding access to scholarship support, which helps increase access, reduce student debt and makes Seton Hall a school of choice for more people with promise.

“Shirley Croteau understood nursing as a calling,” said Kristi Stinson, interim dean of the College of Nursing. “This scholarship support will open doors for talented incoming students and help prepare nurses who are ready to serve.”

The Seton Hall College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program ranks No. 1 in New Jersey among private universities and in the top 17 percent nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report. The scholarships created through this gift will help strengthen the healthcare workforce at a time of critical need. Across the country, an aging and increasingly complex patient population is creating a greater demand for more skilled caregivers.

“Planned giving allows donors to create a long-lasting legacy,” said Jon Paparsenos, vice president of University Advancement. “Shirley’s gift will have a meaningful impact on nursing education and on the communities our graduates serve.”

Reflecting on the University’s mission and the significance of the gift, Monsignor Joseph Reilly, president of Seton Hall, said, “Our Catholic mission, rooted in the example of Jesus Christ and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, calls us to educate students who serve with both competence and heart. This gift ensures that more future nurses can answer that call and extend care to those most in need.”

Through the Estate of Shirley Croteau, this gift honors a lifetime devoted to nursing while investing in future leaders who will carry forward the values of care, service and excellence that defined her career.