Nursing | Robert J. Dehaemers Endowed Chair

Robert J. Dehaemers was a young Vietnam War veteran who wanted to be a nurse.  With close ties to the Benedictines through his cousin, Sister Janelle Maes, OSB '68, who is a member of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery, he had longed to go to Benedictine College.  At the time, Benedictine did not have a nursing program, so he had to go elsewhere.  Dehaemers never forgot about that missed opportunity and maintained a lifelong desire to bring a nursing program to Benedictine College.  He went on to will his estate to Benedictine College and its nursing program. 

During the annual Benedictine College Scholarship Ball on February 28, 2015, President Stephen D. Minnis announced the creation of the Robert J. Dehaemers Endowed Chair of Nursing.  Lynne M. Connelly, PhD, RN, was the first recipient. Pictured below with President Minnis and Dr. Connelly is Sister Janelle Maes, OSB, cousin to Mr. Dehaemers.

Robert Dehaemers

Dr. Lynne Connelly

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