Montana State University has announced a $101 million gift from Mark and Robyn Jones in support of its College of Nursing.

The largest gift ever to a college of nursing in the United States will help fund new facilities equipped with modern classrooms and simulation labs at each of the MSU College of Nursing's five campuses in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Missoula; establish five endowed faculty professorships that will enable MSU to attract top faculty talent during a nationwide nursing faculty shortage; endow a scholarship fund; and establish a certified nurse midwifery program that will prepare doctoral-level nurses who can provide specialized maternal health care to rural and remote communities.

"It is hard to put into words how moved and excited all of us are at Montana State University by the generosity of the Joneses, who are helping to address some of the most critical healthcare disparity issues in Montana, particularly in the state's rural areas," said MSU president Waded Cruzado. "Straight from the hearts of Mark and Robyn, this gift will forever change health care in Montana, and it will serve as a model for the nation. Thanks to their vision, we will have access to tangible tools, such as high-quality simulation labs, new facilities across our nursing campuses, and more registered nurses and doctor of nursing practice prepared nurse practitioners and nurse midwives."

The Joneses are the founders of Goosehead Insurance Inc., based in Westlake, Texas. "We both grew up visiting Montana with our families, and now it is one of the places we call home," said Robyn Jones. "We've seen first-hand the healthcare challenges that Montana faces, and we wanted to do something that will make an impact on the people of this beautiful state."