The University of Connecticut celebrated a major milestone in the construction of the new Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing building with a beam signing ceremony held on Monday, October 27.
The event brought together Elisabeth C. DeLuca ’69 (NUR), faculty, staff, students, generous donors, and construction partners to commemorate the progress of the school’s future home, DeLuca Hall.
The ceremony invited attendees to sign the final steel beam at the construction site. The signing is a long-standing tradition symbolizing unity, strength, and shared purpose before it is set in place atop the structure.
In her remarks, Elisabeth DeLuca reflected on her support for the university, DeLuca shared how meaningful it is to see the impact on future nurses. “Every time I have the opportunity to speak with UConn Nursing students, I’m always impressed with the quality of these students and can foresee what wonderful nurses they will become.”
Surrounded by signatures on the final structural beam, she emphasized the importance of the milestone. “It’s a very special day for me. It’s a very special day for the university. It’s a very special day for students who are able to see what will be in their future.”
“The beam signing represents more than a construction milestone—it’s a celebration of the passion, dedication, and promise that define this School,” said Dean Victoria Vaughan Dickson. “We are deeply grateful for Elisabeth DeLuca’s vision and generosity, which are helping us build an inspiring space for future nurses and scholars.”
UConn nursing student Makenna Graves ’28 (NUR) shared heartfelt remarks during the celebration, reflecting on the far-reaching meaning of philanthropy and the presence of Elisabeth DeLuca at the event.
Graves expressed her gratitude, “It feels especially meaningful to have Mrs. DeLuca here. Your generosity has created something truly special. I like to think of it as a ripple effect. One act that spreads farther than any of us have seen. Single droplets can merely create ripples. It reshapes the image it reflects. That, to me, is what makes your gift so impactful. It did not just move me forward, it helped me see life, people, and myself differently.”
She spoke about how her experience at UConn is shaping her professional identity, saying, “I want to become a nurse who listens, notices, and makes sure that no one’s suffering is overlooked. Real care begins with listening, noticing, empathy, and with presence.”
Graves emphasized the broader influence of DeLuca’s support on the UConn community. “Your generosity has grown into something far greater than any single scholarship. You have shaped our entire community, one built for compassion, opportunity, and belief in what nursing can be. The impact of your support will carry us through every challenge, patient, and moment we are called for.”
Looking ahead to the future of the school and the building that will soon be its new home, Graves concluded, “Today, as I signed the beam, I imagined the surface of water rippled, reflected, and alive. I think about how your drop reached me and how I would carry the ripples forward. Because generosity creates motion, empathy gives meaning, and reflection helps us see what really matters; one another.”
Once complete, DeLuca Hall will provide the much-needed space to support the increased nursing school enrollment, innovative learning spaces and a state-of-the-art clinical simulation center to prepare highly skilled nurses. The nursing research center and new makerspace will support interdisciplinary healthcare research and innovation.
Scheduled for completion in late 2026, the new home of the Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing will provide a modern, collaborative environment that supports the school’s continued growth and national leadership in nursing education.
Learn more about the future home of UConn Nursing and opportunities to make a lasting impact by visiting Building the Future of Nursing | UConn Foundation.
