SANFORD - The nursing profession was always close to the heart of Louise L. Tuller, who was both a businesswoman and a registered nurse during her lifetime. Now, 32 years after her death, the Associate Degree Nursing program at Central Carolina Community College has been named the Louise L. Tuller School of Nursing.

The naming is in appreciation for a gift of more than $335,000 from the Louise L. Tuller Trust. This is the first time the college has named a program in recognition of a financial contribution.

College administrators and trustees, CCCC Foundation directors, and members of the trust's board of directors gathered Feb. 10 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center to announce the naming and to unveil the plaque for the Louise L. Tuller School of Nursing. The plaque will be mounted in Lett Hall where the Associate Degree Nursing program is located on the college's Lee County Campus.

"We thank the trust's board of directors for this very special gift," said CCCC President Bud Marchant. "It will greatly benefit nursing education at Central Carolina Community College and benefit communities as the graduates of this program go out and serve."

In 2006, her trust established the Louise L. Tuller Nurse Education Endowment at the college, to which it has contributed more than $75,000. In December, the trust board of directors voted to close the trust and donate the balance of more than $335,000 to the endowment to benefit the nursing education program and its students. The total of these donations constitute the largest private gift given to the college, to date.

"It's an honor to give these funds to Central Carolina Community College for its nursing program," said Harry Miller, chairman of the Louise L. Tuller Trust. "I knew Mrs. Tuller and it was her dream to honor nursing and help young people get an education to be nurses. CCCC has a wonderful nursing program. A lot of people want to be nurses but can't afford the training. This gift will be to their benefit. I'm proud to have been part of it."

George Womble, president of the CCCC Foundation, said the gift comes at a strategic time, when there is a great demand for nurses.

"We will endeavor to use these funds in a way that you will find pleasing," he said to the trust board members. "It will enhance the nursing program."

Tuller, a Canadian by birth, lived in Bainbridge, N.Y., for many years. She retired to Sanford, where she was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and a volunteer at Lee County Hospital until she passed away in 1978.

"Louise would be so humbled by the college naming its nursing program for her," said Betty Jo Denton Vogel, a former fellow parishioner at St. Thomas. "This is absolutely wonderful. I remember her fondly. She was one of the most devout Christian women I knew."

The college's ADN program trains men and women to become registered nurses. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination required to work as a registered nurse. The program's graduates consistently score very high on the examination.

"The nursing faculty, current and prospective nursing students are extremely honored that the ADN program has been named in honor of Louise L. Tuller," said Rhonda Evans, chair of the college's Nursing Programs. "Mrs. Tuller dedicated her life to providing compassionate care during her nursing career. Her legacy will continue through this generosity and support of our program."

For more information about the college's ADN program, go online to www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/nursing/assoc/. For more information on naming opportunities at the college, contact the CCCC Foundation, (919) 718-7231.