The gift comes from university alumnus Gary Sharpe and his wife Connie Sharpe.
Xavier University has received a $2 million gift from the Sharpe family in support of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Nursing, with $1 million going toward each initiative. The gift will help significantly with the university’s mission to expand its health sciences programs. Nursing is currently the most popular major at the university, and the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine is set to open in 2027.
According to an article on Xavier University’s website, Gary Sharpe is quoted as saying of his gifts to the university, “As a Musketeer alum who has dedicated his life to supporting health care services internationally, I am highly familiar with Xavier’s strength in the health sciences. Today we are witnessing the University expand its standing as a preeminent institution for educating health care leaders. I am thrilled to play a role in the bold, impactful initiatives Xavier is undertaking.”
Sharpe earned his MBA from Xavier University in 1979 and has been involved in the university ever since, providing philanthropic and other support. In 2025, he was awarded with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his efforts for both the university and the Cincinnati community.
Sharpe founded Health Care Logistics Inc., which supplies the healthcare industry with hard-to-find products and helps healthcare organizations provide their patients with unique solutions. The company has grown to become a multi-million dollar organization.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine is on track to open in the Fall of 2027. The initiative to build the College of Osteopathic Medicine began in 2023 with construction beginning in 2024. Dr. Steven J. Halm, DO, FAAP, FACP, FACOI has been named as the founding dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
According to the webpage for the College of Osteopathic Medicine, university president Colleen Hanycz, Ph.D, is quoted as saying, "Xavier's mission is deeply tied to our culture of care, making our campus a perfect fit for a College of Osteopathic Medicine. This college will sit squarely at the intersection of community need, Xavier’s established academic strengths and a remarkable Jesuit Catholic mission that emphasizes service that is rooted in justice and love. We will soon welcome aspiring doctors with servants’ hearts, instilling in them the knowledge, skills and values that will empower them to make a true difference through their profession."
For more information about Xavier University, visit the school’s website.