U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and McPherson College President Michael Schneider at today’s announcement.
Senator Jerry Moran announced he has secured $2.1 million in new, congressionally directed funding for McPherson College during a news conference on campus June 27, 2024. The federal funds will support the college’s initiative to create an educational center in Kansas for Rural & Community Health Science.
The college has made progress toward this goal by introducing a new health science program where students focus on clinical, administrative, behavioral, or community health academic emphasis. In 2019, it partnered with the McPherson Center for Health to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
“McPherson College is leading the way in training health care providers specifically to serve rural communities,” said Sen. Moran. “These federal resources will equip McPherson College with the tools to train even more students in clinical, behavioral, and public health professions. This is an investment in the college, the students, and rural Kansas.”
This is the first time in McPherson College’s 137-year history it has secured federal funds through congressionally directed spending.
“Senator Moran is a true champion for Kansas,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “By securing $2.1 million in federal funding, we are poised to strengthen rural health throughout Kansas. This program will enable us to place many more graduates into rural communities, meeting the growing demand for healthcare professionals. Senator Moran’s support of this program will be felt across Kansas for years.”
The funding will allow McPherson College to modernize key parts of the Melhorn Science Hall, including significant laboratory and technology enhancements to support anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, public health, and behavioral health studies. A portion of the funding will be used for professional development to help meet new and ongoing rural healthcare needs and expand statewide health outreach programming.
“The City of McPherson is grateful to Senator Moran for securing the federal funding that will support rural health,” Mayor Tom Brown said. “We are thrilled that this investment in education is coming through McPherson College, and its students will benefit by gaining valuable health care skills to serve rural communities.”