CAÑON CITY – After 569 days of planning and construction, the Walter F. and Gloria R. Schepp Nursing Simulation Center opened Aug. 6 with a large gathering of supporters who were welcomed to the Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus by Executive Director Mike Maffucci.
The 2,700-square-foot nursing facility has two simulation hospital rooms with adult and child manikins, two control rooms and a nurse’s station. It was funded by a $2 million donation made by Walt Schepp to the PCC Foundation in 2024. RTA Architects oversaw the project; H.W. Houston Construction was the primary contractor.
The addition of the state-of-the-art space will allow students to “connect what we learn in the classroom to what we perform in the workplace,” said second-year nursing student Annalise Tunstall.
Nursing is the largest program on the Fremont campus. Until now, students had to travel to other facilities in Cañon City, Florence and Pueblo to complete their required clinical work. For those balancing the inherent challenges of the nursing program with work and family commitments, commuting added more stress to their daily routine.
“Walt understood this,” said Joan Pope, nursing coordinator and faculty member at the Fremont campus, and he realized the value of having a safe, modern, comfortable learning environment in one location.
Shanna Ricker, director of PCC’s nursing programs, noted that holding clinicals in multiple locations required additional schedule coordination, equipment transport, and working in spaces that were not specifically designed for educational purposes.
The simulation center enables instructors and students to be “prepared instead of overwhelmed,” she said.
The Schepps were dedicated supporters of PCC over the past 25 years. Gloria died in 2015 and Walt continued his close involvement with the college until he passed away in February this year. They contributed more than $4.6 million for scholarships and other projects, primarily at the Fremont Campus, and Walt served on the foundation board and Fremont Advisory Committee in addition to attending college events.
Foundation CEO Julie Rodriguez noted the Schepps’ “cycle of service” that inspired their dedication to the college and community, as well as their challenge to others to continue paying it forward.
PCC President Chato Hazelbaker emphasized PCC’s mission of creating conditions that empower students, create living-wage jobs and improve the communities it serves. The Schepps’ generosity enables the fulfillment of that mission, he said, but the personal connections Walt cultivated with students and employees are what brought so many people to campus to celebrate.
“Money is important, but it’s not the main reason we’re here,” said Hazelbaker.
“Walt and Gloria were more than philanthropists,” said Pope. “They were dear friends.”
