SALEM, Mo. (Sept. 19, 2017) – The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) recently created the Doe Run Nursing Scholarship Fund to support the new nursing program at Southwest Baptist University’s (SBU) Salem campus. The $1,000 per semester scholarship will help nursing students earn their degrees closer to home, and support the medical needs of southern Missouri.

The shortage of nurses in Missouri is at an all-time high, according to a 2017 report by the Missouri Hospital Association. Approximately 5,700 nursing jobs in Missouri hospitals are vacant due to a lack of qualified candidates, creating a critical need for the education of new nurses in the region.

“We are excited to be able to expand our nursing program to the SBU-Salem campus,” said Dr. C. Pat Taylor, president of SBU. “The nursing shortage is a national issue, and we are happy to offer this program and serve the Salem community. We are thankful for donors like Doe Run who are committed to investing in the education of SBU students. The Doe Run Nursing Scholarship Fund will be a valuable resource for nursing students on our Salem campus as we continue to prepare our students to be servant leaders in a global society.”

In addition to supporting the nursing scholarship, Doe Run made a gift of $3,000 to support other needs at SBU’s Salem campus. This marks the 10th consecutive year Doe Run has donated to SBU’s Salem campus, which offers programs in health sciences, business, criminal justice and education, enabling students in the region to receive a college degree locally.

“Schools like SBU are vital to the growth and improvement of our region,” said Mark Coomes, vice president of human resources and community relations at Doe Run. “We are proud to be a member of the southern Missouri community. By investing in local colleges and universities, we are ensuring that students from our region have access to a quality education to prepare them for their careers.”

As part of a highly technical and scientific industry, Doe Run promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in southern Missouri. These efforts include funding scholarships and classroom equipment, offering hands-on experience through internships, and providing professional expertise to guide academic curriculum.

SBU students interested in applying for the nursing scholarship can contact SBU’s Salem campus office at (573) 729-7071.

About The Doe Run Company

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company and a global provider of lead, copper and zinc concentrates. Dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral and metal production, Doe Run operates one of the world’s largest, single-site lead recycling centers, located in Boss, Missouri, and mines from one of the world’s largest lead mining districts, also in Missouri. The Doe Run Company and its subsidiaries deliver products and services necessary to provide power, protection and convenience. Doe Run has operations in Missouri, Washington and Arizona. For more information, visit www.doerun.com and http://sustainability.doerun.com.