(NORFOLK, NE) It's the next chapter in the collaboration between the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Northeast Community College to build a College of Nursing in Norfolk. On Thursday, the project received a large gift and a new name.

"The College of Nursing building from this day forward will be identified as the J. Paul and Eleanor McIntosh College of Nursing," says NECC President Dr. Bill Path.

The McIntosh's pledge of well more than a million dollars to the College of Nursing is just one of a number of significant gifts.

"They believe in generosity. They believe in giving back to the community," says Dr. Path.

The couple built their life and marriage on hard work and a commitment to Christ.

"Part of that decision was a personal commitment that I made at that time to share my time and talent and treasure with others," says J. Paul McIntosh.
     
It's fitting then that Northeast's president describes the project as blessed.
   
"Every single thing that needed to happen in order to make this project happen has occurred just as planned," says Dr. Path.    

The McIntosh's gift completes the capital campaign and establishes an endowment. And with almost $2 million in the state budget for the college, project leaders hope to break ground as soon as Governor Heineman approves the bill.
  
"We're hoping that as soon as the ink dries on the bill that we'll be able to start erecting the building," says Dr. Path.

But with classes slated to start in August 2010, the timeline is tight.

"The need for this facility is now," says McIntosh.    

J. Paul and Eleanor hope the McIntosh College of Nursing will help others achieve their dreams.

Project leaders say the partnership between UNMC and Northeast is ideal because students can receive a cutting-edge nursing education in Norfolk on a campus where residence halls and cafeterias already exist.

Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.