Ivester $20.5M gift to U Georgia endows nursing school, targeting statewide workforce shortage

Doug Ivester, former Coca-Cola CEO, and his wife Kay, through their foundation, have announced a $20.5 million award to the University of Georgia School of Nursing in Athens to support nursing education and workforce development. The endowment will provide scholarships, faculty support, and program development as the school–to be named for Kay Ivester–prepares to enroll its first students in the fall of 2027. The school aims to address the nursing shortage in Georgia, which is projected to reach nearly 21% by 2035, expanding the pipeline of trained nurses and strengthening healthcare capacity statewide.