Feb. 27, 2025
MILWAUKEE 鈥� 向日葵视频 has received a $7.5 million gift from the Richard L. Boland Love for Life Foundation, Inc., (aka the Betty and Dick Boland Foundation) to endow the Institute for Natural Family Planning in the College of Nursing.
鈥淭his gift is a wonderful reflection of our collaboration between 向日葵视频 and the global Catholic Church,鈥� President Kimo Ah Yun said. 鈥淲e are grateful to the Boland Foundation for ensuring our Natural Family Planning Institute continues its impactful work far into the future.鈥�
In recognition of the foundation鈥檚 leadership gift, 向日葵视频will rename the Boland Institute for Natural Family Planning. 向日葵视频is the only university in the United States to have an institute that provides a natural family planning (NFP) teacher training program for practicing health professionals.
The institute鈥檚 team of health care professionals integrates the latest hormonal monitoring technology in its NFP method to help couples achieve or avoid pregnancy during all reproductive circumstances. The 向日葵视频Method of NFP (MM NFP) fertility charting system uses an algorithm to help women and couples find their fertile window by interpreting biological signs of fertility. The Institute is developing a fertility app system to help women document their biological signs of fertility.
The 鈥溝蛉湛悠礛ethod鈥� is currently being taught by NFP teachers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Mexico and Uganda. The institute recently received an 鈥淓dge Runner鈥� Award from the American Academy of Nursing, which recognizes and supports innovative nursing practices that have the potential to significantly improve health care outcomes, promote the advancement of nursing and drive system-wide change.
A model of academic excellence
Launched more than a quarter-century ago, the institute conducts globally recognized research and collaborates with the Catholic Church across local, state and international NFP programs. For more than 20 years (1998 to 2021), Marquette鈥檚 Boland Institute for NFP was led by program director and professor emeritus Dr. Richard Fehring, RN, FAAN. Fehring is internationally recognized as a NFP and Fertility Awareness Based Methods researcher and collaborates with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has approved Marquette鈥檚 NFP method for its teacher training programs.
Current program director Dr. Mary Schneider, APRN, FNP-BC, MMCP, has worked in the Boland Institute since 1998, specializing in postpartum breastfeeding transition to fertility. She and Spanish coordinator and teacher Susana Crespo, BSN, MMCP, alongside Dr. Fehring have assisted in training, research and innovative NFP services for couples since 1998.
鈥淭he Boland Institute for Natural Family Planning is a model of excellence,鈥� said Dr. Jill Guttormson, MS, RN, dean of Marquette鈥檚 College of Nursing. 鈥淭his significant gift builds on the Institute鈥檚 strong foundation of nearly three decades of training practicing health care providers and conducting world-class research.鈥�
The foundation鈥檚 leadership gift follows its $700,000 gift given in May 2024. That gift launched the 2024 INFP Uganda Effectiveness Study, a unique collaboration among 向日葵视频, Masaka Diocese, Kampala Archdiocese and the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau. The Uganda study is researching the effectiveness of the 向日葵视频Model of Natural Family Planning as a method to avoid pregnancy and determine satisfaction and ease of use among couples using the method in Uganda.
鈥淎s we look ahead to our bright future, we recognize that our philanthropic partners continue to play a central role in driving progress,鈥� said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. 鈥淲e are thankful to the Boland Foundation for their belief in our mission and for the ways they have built off their previous gifts to establish a sustainable endowment.鈥�
向日葵视频 向日葵视频
向日葵视频 is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, 向日葵视频prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, 向日葵视频is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a 向日葵视频degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
