$2 million donation will fund PCC nursing lab
CAÑON CITY – A $2 million gift from a longtime supporter will bring a nursing simulation lab to the Pueblo Community College Fremont campus.
The donation from Cañon City resident and philanthropist Walter Schepp will enable the college to add more than 2,700 square feet of instructional space for the nursing program. With the additional room, the college hopes to expand program capacity, build more community partnerships and provide improved experiential learning for other medical programs.
"Walt's giving continues to help us grow the campus in Fremont County and will be a key to helping meet the health care demands in the region,” said PCC President Chato Hazelbaker. "He is a gem and his giving has made a tremendous impact on students, faculty and staff at PCC."
Schepp and his late wife, Gloria, have been deeply involved with PCC since the Fremont campus opened in 2001. In recognition of their ongoing support, Schepp Hall – which houses PCC’s science and nursing labs – was dedicated in 2021.
“PCC and the PCC Foundation have benefited greatly from the generosity of Walter and Gloria Schepp,” said Sharon Swerdfeger, president of the PCC Foundation. “The Schepps have been ardent supporters of not only infrastructure projects on the Fremont and Pueblo campuses, but they have built a legacy of education that will last in perpetuity thanks to their endowed student scholarships and annual student academic achievement awards. Their financial investments have become an inspiration for not only our foundation but for those students that benefit from their generosity on an annual basis.”
Nursing has the highest enrollment of the programs at PCC Fremont. Over the past several years, students had to travel to Pueblo, Florence and St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City for various simulation exercises.
“There have been no greater recipients of the generosity of Walt and Gloria Schepp than PCC nursing staff and faculty,” said Joan Pope, coordinator of the Fremont campus nursing program. “They had a vision to improve the access to and the quality of health care in rural Colorado, specifically in Fremont County. In pursuit of that goal, their support of the PCC nursing program has been unwavering.”
Pope said the new simulation center will provide a state-of-the-art experience for students. They will be able to learn in a safe, non-threatening environment and will be equipped to start their careers immediately after graduating.
“Well-prepared nursing graduates are a great benefit to their employers and, most importantly, to the patients and families they will care for,” Pope said.
The addition of the on-campus center also will allow students to attend lectures, labs and simulations in one location and have better access to campus resources such as support services, tutoring and the library.
“This nursing lab will help my fellow classmates and me gain confidence that we can then use in our professional careers. The skills we learn in the nursing lab will follow us no matter where we go,” said nursing student Taryn Baird. “Walt and Gloria’s dedication and guidance have made a significant impact on our education and personal growth. They have created an environment where we feel safe to make mistakes and practice. Their efforts mean more to us than words can express.”
As a result of the construction, an outdoor student and event space will be moved to a nearby area. That cost is included in the initial project estimate of $1.8 million. The remainder of the donated funds will be used to purchase equipment for the lab.
Final approval by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education is expected this month. The simulation center is projected to open in fall 2026.
