More than 50 years ago, William J. Hagenah Sr. made a gift that would outlive him. It was a quiet act of generosity rooted in love, humility and a lifelong commitment to Rush and an investment in a future he believed in.
Established in 1974, the Florence D. Hagenah Endowed Nursing Scholarship was created in honor of William’s wife, with the belief that investing in future nurses would strengthen patient care for generations to come.
Decades later, that vision continues to shape the lives of Rush University College of Nursing students, thanks to the enduring support of the Hagenah family.
While William, a former trustee, established the scholarship, many of his family members have continued to invest in the fund, allowing the Florence D. Hagenah Endowed Nursing Scholarship to continue to provide annual support to students at the College of Nursing.
“He had the foresight to set up a scholarship in memory of our grandmother,” the Hagenah family said. “Over the years, he added to it, and since then, our family has continued that tradition.”
A tribute to their grandparents
For the Hagenahs, the scholarship is more than a financial gift; it’s a tribute to their grandparents, whose values continue to inspire them. Their grandmother’s warmth, optimistic presence and kindness left a lasting impression, as did their grandfather’s steadfast support for Rush.
“She was the perfect grandmother,” the Hagenah grandchildren said of Florence. “She was always so wonderful, upbeat and positive.”
Their grandfather was equally memorable. After health challenges prompted him to step away from practicing law full-time, he devoted much of his life to public service and nonprofit leadership. Rather than slowing down, he redirected his energy toward organizations that mattered deeply to him, including Rush, where he began serving as a trustee of Rush Medical College in 1939 and later of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center. In recognition of his dedication, he was named the first-ever honorary alumnus in 1968.
“He was very focused,” the Hagenahs said. “When he got involved in something, he really got involved.”
His service reflected a philosophy that extended beyond boardrooms and committee meetings. Philanthropy was the driving force that allowed him to support the causes he believed in most, all without seeking recognition for himself.
“He wasn’t interested in having his name on things, which is why the scholarship is only named for our grandmother,” the Hagenah family said. “That’s true for us today, too. We support institutions like Rush because we appreciate the work being done, not because we get to have our name attached to it.”
A ripple effect of generosity
For the students receiving scholarship support, the impact extends far beyond financial assistance.
Timmy Tran, MS’25, returned to Rush after earning a degree in health systems management. He was drawn to nursing after seeing the impact healthcare workers made during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately finding his way back to Rush because of the supportive environment and relationships he had experienced.
“Reading about the impact essential workers were making inspired me to follow a similar path,” he said. “The supportive environment, the strong relationships between students and faculty, and the hands-on opportunities to build confidence and clinical skills made my decision to come back to Rush easy.”
Thanks to support from the Florence D. Hagenah Endowed Nursing Scholarship, Timmy is now pursuing his nursing degree with an eye toward combining his clinical and administrative experience to ultimately achieve his dream of becoming a chief nursing officer.
The scholarship helped ease the financial burden of pursuing a second master’s degree, allowing him to devote more time and energy to clinical training and academics. But, for Timmy, it is also personally significant.
“It means so much to know that others believe in me,” he said. “It inspires me to work harder and will allow me to blend bedside care with healthcare leadership so I can make a meaningful, systemic impact on patient care. In a program full of talented students, it is truly an honor and a privilege.”
Christina “Chris” Cration is also pursuing her nursing education thanks to support from the Hagenah family. Chris first came to Rush as a volunteer, later became an employee and is now a student.
Growing up in a family that worked in healthcare, caring for others has always been a part of her life. Nursing appealed to her because of the unique role nurses play in a patient’s experience — listening, advocating, protecting, encouraging and providing care when patients are at their most vulnerable.
“Rush is home to me,” Chris said. “Over the years, Rush has taken a passion I’ve had since my youth and helped nurture it into something more. The support of the Clinical Documentation Integrity Department and leadership has been vital as I pursue my nursing education.”
At a time when access to education is increasingly challenging for many students, the Florence D. Hagenah Endowed Nursing Scholarship has given Chris greater freedom to focus on her education while easing some of the financial burden of nursing school.
And, like Timmy, the knowledge that someone she has never met believes in her enough to invest in her future has left a lasting impression.
“What’s more is the Hagenah family’s support doesn’t stop with me,” Chris said. “Family, friends and colleagues have watched me work hard, continue my education and pursue my goals, which, in turn, has inspired them to pursue their own. That is the ripple effect one act of generosity can create.”
Chris hopes to continue this cycle when she becomes a nurse.
“When I reach a place of financial stability, I plan to pay it forward,” she said. “I want to become that person who pours into the life of a nursing student financially and helps them continue their journey, just as someone did for me.”
Creating legacies in healthcare
With the Hagenah family’s decades-long support of Rush and its mission to give everyone a chance at a healthy life, they have seen firsthand the difference nurses make both at Rush and in the communities it serves.
“You first want to help people become nurses,” the Hagenah grandchildren said. “But more than that, we hope the scholarship helps them become part of an organization that teaches them more than nursing skills.”
The family’s confidence in Rush has only grown over the years. While they continue to support the scholarship, they trust the university to identify students whose passion and potential reflect the values their grandparents hoped to encourage.
“We’re sitting back knowing that Rush is going to take the lead and find the best, most deserving people for these scholarships,” the Hagenahs said.
For Chris, that support is helping her and so many others become knowledgeable, thoughtful and compassionate nurses who can care for patients.
“Scholarship support here at Rush goes beyond just helping a single individual,” she said. “It creates healthcare legacies.”
Did you know nearly 80% of Rush University students rely on financial support? Your gift helps turn their ambition into action, building a healthier tomorrow — one future nurse at a time. Invest in tomorrow’s healthcare leaders and make a gift today.
