Barbara and Donald Jonas Receive Honorary Doctorates from Frontier Nursing University
In honor of their extensive support and contributions to the advancement of nursing, Frontier Nursing University awarded honorary doctorate degrees to philanthropists Barbara and Donald Jonas. The ceremony took place in Greenwich, CT.
Frontier Nursing University (FNU) Board Chair Michael Carter and FNU President Dr. Susan Stone presented the Jonases with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
In 2005, the Jonases, who are noted art collectors, auctioned off 15 of their abstract expressionist artworks. That generated millions in seed money to create their own masterpiece: The Barbara and Donald Jonas Family Fund.
As they sought the appropriate beneficiaries, Barbara, a psychiatric social worker, and Donald, a leader in retail, were drawn to the nursing shortage and its overall impact on the healthcare of individuals and communities. In early 2006, they established the Jonas Center, a first-of-its-kind philanthropic program dedicated to advancing the nursing profession. The Center’s focus is to improve healthcare through nursing leadership, scholarship and research. . .