George Mason University

04/20/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/21/2026 20:50

School of Nursing offers its first full scholarship thanks to generous donor support

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The support of donors has life-changing impacts for George Mason University students. An incredible show of generosity by an anonymous donor will provide full scholarship support for an undergraduate student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the College of Public Health's School of Nursing. The Dr. Barry and Velma Berkey Endowed Scholarship will cover tuition for an entire academic year. This is the first full scholarship at the College of Public Health.

"We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of our donors, whose support has transformative effects on the lives of our students. This extraordinary gift will enable deserving Bachelor of Science in Nursing students to pursue their education without the burden of tuition," said Dean Melissa Perry. "Such acts of kindness and commitment to education not only honor the legacy of Dr. Barry and Velma Berkey but also inspire our students to strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact in the field of public health and beyond. To our donors, thank you for believing in the power of education and for investing in the future leaders of health care."

The scholarship was established to honor the late Barry Berkey and his wife, Velma Berkey. Berkey was a well-known psychiatrist, author, and the first clinical director of the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute before he began his long-standing private practice. The first scholarship will be awarded in the fall 2026 semester to a full-time, in-state student who demonstrates high academic performance (minimum 3.5 GPA) and financial need.

The college extends thanks to all our generous donors.

Learn more about how you can give to the College of Public Health at George Mason University.

Key Takeaways:

  • An anonymous donor has provided the first full scholarship for the College of Public Health's School of Nursing.

  • The scholarship was established in honor of renowned psychiatrist and author Barry Berkey and his wife, Velma Berkey.

  • The Dr. Barry and Velma Berkey Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time, in-state Bachelor of Science in Nursing student who demonstrates high academic performance (minimum 3.5 GPA) and financial need.

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George Mason University published this content on April 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 22, 2026 at 02:51 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]