Basia Belza honors Dean Emeritus de Tornyay with new student scholarship

By Ashley Wiggin

For BNHS professor Basia Belza, the importance of supporting students has never seemed more necessary. After attending a recent nursing scholarship reception with its message of “to whom much is given, much is expected,” Basia decided to fund a scholarship for undergraduate students while honoring Dean Emeritus Rheba de Tornyay by naming the scholarship after her.

Basia completed her contributions to the fund this fall, when the economic downturn made private student support even more critical. “I realized that students could really benefit from this scholarship support now more than ever,” said Basia, the Aljoya Endowed Professor in Aging. With the help of the UW’s Faculty-Staff-Retiree Campaign for Students ending this month, her $5,000 scholarship will be matched by the University to a total of $10,000. The scholarship will be available to students for the 2009-10 academic year.

When Basia started as an assistant professor at the School of Nursing in 1991, she was new to Seattle. She met Dr. de Tornyay and immediately felt a connection with her. “Over the years, Dr. de Tornyay took a personal interest in my career development; willingly shared her knowledge and experience; and was readily available to provide support and challenge. I am forever grateful to Dr. de Tornyay for her mentoring," Basia said. 

Basia is nationally recognized for her leadership in promoting healthy aging for community-based older adults. Her expertise involves taking evidence-based physical activity programs and adapting them for different communities.

“There is much to do to improve the overall health of our older adult population. I am very interested in partnering with community agencies to be able to provide evidence-based programs, including but not limited to physical activity programs, where older adults congregate,” she said.

A California native, Basia received her BSN from Georgetown University, her MSN from the University of Virginia, and her PhD at the University of California, San Francisco. 

Her desire to build community goes beyond her role as a teacher and researcher. In her personal life, Basia has created communities with neighbors and friends through a book group, yoga classes and a diners club. She loves the outdoors and has run four marathons.

For more information about the Faculty-Staff-Retiree Campaign for Students, please visit: http://uwfoundation.org/home/staff_stu_camp.asp