Former Nurse and Subway Co-Founder, Elisabeth DeLuca, Donates $50M to UConn Nursing
UConn’s School of Nursing is on the brink of an exciting new era, thanks to a remarkable $50 million gift from a proud UConn nursing graduate from the Class of 1969, Elisabeth DeLuca. This donation—the largest in the university’s history—couldn’t come at a better time, as it will fuel the expansion of nursing education in Connecticut, helping UConn train and support a new wave of healthcare professionals.
A Historic Gift from a Passionate Advocate for Nursing
Elisabeth DeLuca’s $50 million donation marks a defining moment for UConn and its nursing program. Her contribution isn’t just about funding; it’s a powerful endorsement of the critical role nurses play in healthcare and the need to support their education. With this gift, the School of Nursing will be able to expand its resources, strengthen its curriculum, and attract top talent—both in faculty and students.
DeLuca expressed her dedication to ensuring nurses are well-prepared as they enter the workforce, saying, “And we’re working with curriculum ideas and other innovations to make them be more ready when practicing on patients and face the real world of clinical practice they will be facing.”
After graduating from UConn, DeLuca began her nursing career on a medical-surgical unit at Bridgeport Hospital, later moving to the surgical intensive care unit at the West Haven VA hospital. Elisabeth eventually left nursing to join her late husband, Fred DeLuca, in growing his business, which became the Subway restaurant empire. Today, she’s President of both the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation and the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, where she directs her philanthropy toward education and healthcare, marking a full-circle moment with her historic gift to UConn’s School of Nursing.
Breaking Ground on a New State-of-the-Art Facility
With DeLuca’s donation as the catalyst, UConn broke ground on Wednesday, October 30th on a cutting-edge new building for the School of Nursing at the Storrs campus. This facility will be packed with features like advanced simulation labs, collaborative learning spaces, and high-tech classrooms designed to mirror real-world healthcare settings. Construction is scheduled to kick off this November, with an expected completion by fall 2026.
DeLuca’s $50 million donation will transform the School of Nursing, equipping the next generation of nurses with the best resources possible. Roughly $20 million will go directly toward building costs, while $5 million is allocated for equipment that will outfit the new space with the latest in simulation labs and learning tools. The remainder will support student scholarships and bolster programs to enrich the nursing curriculum.
Artists rendering of the new UConn School of Nursing Image: UConn
Increasing Enrollment
DeLuca’s donation comes at an ideal moment for UConn’s School of Nursing, which received nearly 2,900 applications in 2023—over 300 more than the previous year. Limited space, faculty, and resources have historically capped enrollment, but this generous gift is set to change that. With funds earmarked for hiring additional faculty and expanding student support, UConn will now be able to grow its nursing class from around 175 to a minimum of 250 students.
Increased enrollment means more aspiring nurses can pursue their passion without financial obstacles, thanks to DeLuca’s scholarship support. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about building a strong, capable workforce ready to tackle modern healthcare challenges. UConn is committed to developing nurses equipped with the skills and compassion needed to deliver high-quality care in today’s complex healthcare environment.
With a new facility and DeLuca’s support, UConn’s School of Nursing is setting itself up as a leader in nursing education.
