Edward Jones, a University of North Florida (UNF) alumnus and president and CEO of the Houston Methodist Research Institute, along with his wife Sara Lynn Jones, has established an endowed scholarship to support nursing students at their alma mater. The Edward and Sara Lynn Jones Endowed Scholarship for Nursing was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist future healthcare professionals.
“We just thought it was really important to give back in a difficult time, and more importantly, to help people going into healthcare,” said Edward Jones.
Both Edward and Sara Lynn are graduates of UNF’s Brooks College of Health. Their scholarship is open to all nursing students, with preference given to those who have military or law enforcement affiliations. This preference honors Edward’s father, a Navy veteran, and Sara Lynn’s father, a former police officer.
“I would encourage anyone interested in healthcare to strongly consider a career in nursing,” said Edward. “It’s a meaningful way to serve others and your community.”
Simone Covington became the first recipient of the scholarship when she enrolled at UNF to study nursing. She described how the award helped her overcome financial challenges as she pursued her degree.
“Receiving the scholarship was incredibly empowering,” Covington said. “It gave me the encouragement to believe in myself, even when I doubted my ability to succeed in such a rigorous program.”
Covington also completed an externship at Houston Methodist Hospital before graduating from UNF with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2023. She now works as a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit nurse at that hospital.
“Moving to Houston from Jacksonville by myself was a big step,” she said. “But the opportunity allowed me to see the cutting edge of healthcare and grow in ways I never expected.”
Covington emphasized that beyond financial assistance, the scholarship provided her with confidence.
“It’s motivating to know someone is in your corner,” Covington said. “Even now, on tough days, I remind myself that this path was made possible by people who believed in me. They wouldn’t have invested in me if I wasn’t capable.”
Edward Jones expressed similar sentiments about supporting students: “To provide a little financial support, offer some advice, open a few doors and watch someone thrive, it’s incredibly rewarding,” he said. “To see Simone come full circle and work at the same hospital where I lead research is kind of cool.”
Now working with new nursing students during their clinical rotations at Houston Methodist Hospital, Covington encourages them to seek out opportunities beyond their immediate environment.
“I tell them to look outside of their immediate surroundings, explore externships, travel and see what’s out there,” she said. “UNF gave me that vision. I want them to have it, too.”
For Edward Jones and his family, supporting scholarships is part of building community among future nurses.
“Everyone can find a way to give back,” Edward said. “Whether it’s time, mentorship or helping someone out, we all have something to offer.”
In recognition of his contributions as an alumnus and leader in healthcare research administration [https://www.unf.edu/alumni/distinguished-alumni.html], Edward received UNF’s Distinguished Alumni Award—the university’s highest honor—in 2022.