Sean Riggin Honors Parents with Endowed聽 Scholarship in Nursing at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock surprised longtime supporters Dee and Don Riggin with the announcement of an estate gift from their son, Sean Riggin, to establish an endowed scholarship in nursing in their honor.
Though Sean Riggin, a retired healthcare administrator from Florida, could not be present, a letter he penned was read aloud during a May 29 luncheon held at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, where the announcement was made during the same week as both of his parents鈥� birthdays. The event was attended by the Riggin family, including Sean鈥檚 sister Ashley Coldiron, as well as university leaders and nursing faculty.
鈥淭his planned gathering is to announce my estate gift that will establish the Dee and Don Riggin Endowed Scholarship for students studying nursing in the School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock,鈥� Sean wrote. 鈥淭his honorary gift is a tribute to my mom and dad who, through endless examples, demonstrate there is no higher purpose in life than to love and support others.鈥�
Provost Ann Bain read the letter to the family and praised the Riggin family鈥檚 decades-long support of the university.
鈥淭he Riggins have been associated with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for many years,鈥� O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not only our institution they support, but other wonderful organizations across the city. We鈥檙e thrilled to be associated with the Riggin family. Don鈥檚 legacy goes back to his time as a student body president at Little Rock University, and Dee鈥檚 career in the health profession makes this scholarship especially meaningful.鈥�
Don Riggin earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1962 from what was then Little Rock University. He later served as president of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors and was deeply involved in shaping the institution鈥檚 development initiatives. Speaking at the event, he reflected on how much the university has meant to his life.
鈥淚t鈥檚 mutual,鈥� Don said. 鈥淚 had some great instructors, great mentors, great friends. We didn鈥檛 have a strong alumni association at that time, and then we made a decision that development was very important to this institution. Dee and I both think we have two of the greatest children you could ever want. If you look at what Ashley and Sean have done, we are extremely proud of both of them.鈥�
Dee Riggin, a retired labor and delivery nurse, added, 鈥淲e love the university. Don has loved it a very long time since he was here as a student. It鈥檚 a part of our family. Sean and Ashley will be the next people to support the university too.鈥�
Sean, whose 36-year career in healthcare spanned both clinical and administrative roles, wrote of his admiration for the nursing profession and the vital role nurses play in healthcare systems.
鈥淚n every capacity, and at all levels, nursing professionals are the fulcrum of the care matrix,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he demands require delegation, diligence, and integrated knowledge at every level. I believe healthcare is the future for the jobs marketplace, with nurses filling roles that general practice gatekeepers traditionally held.鈥�
Dr. Sloan Davidson, director of the School of Nursing, expressed gratitude for the gift.
鈥淭his is outstanding news,鈥� Davidson said. 鈥淥ur student population includes many first-generation college students, and they need support to succeed. We are deeply appreciative of this gift.鈥�
Joanna Hall, director of simulation and assistant professor of nursing, added that it鈥檚 a full-circle moment.
鈥淲e have already received support from the Riggins for simulation equipment and now for scholarships, it feels like they鈥檝e been woven into 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 culture for a long time,鈥� Hall said.
Provost Ann Bain said the planned scholarship is 鈥渁 fabulous tribute to both of you and your family. We appreciate it so much.鈥�
Provost Bain also announced that Sean will be inducted into the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Heritage Society this fall, recognizing donors who have made planned gifts to the university.
After the luncheon, Dee and Don Riggin toured the School of Nursing and the Center for Simulation Innovation, where they saw the Echo masks and virtual reality technology that had so impressed their son on his earlier visit.
In his letter, Sean thanked his sister Ashley for her support in establishing the gift and praised the university鈥檚 planned giving team and nursing faculty for their professionalism and dedication.
鈥淚 was amazed and inspired during my tour of the School of Nursing and the experience-based training demonstrated through virtual reality technology,鈥� Sean wrote. 鈥淭heir commitment to an innovative and quality learning environment is palpable and exciting.鈥�
The endowment ensures that future nursing students at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will receive vital financial support while honoring the legacy of a family whose love for the university spans generations.
鈥淚 wish all future graduates a purpose-driven career that fulfills and inspires them to provide dedicated care to countless individuals in Arkansas and beyond,鈥� Sean concluded.