As their sons approached adolescence, Andy (80BBA, 81MBA) and Susie (79BSN) Code prioritized exposing them to a world beyond material things. International vacations became service opportunities for the family, and included destinations like Thailand, Eswatini, and Honduras. “When you go and you visit and you have relationships, you feel like it’s not really giving, it’s just participating the way you were intended to do,” says Andy.
Through the Code Family Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit launched by the extended family in 1997, the Codes have found a way to build and invest in these relationships. Today the Foundation supports the work of more than 100 charities and ministries, including the UI College of Nursing, UI Tippie College of Business, UI Carver College of Medicine, UI International Program, and UI First Gen Hawks.
Andy and Susie grew up in Iowa City, surrounded by people who worked at the University of Iowa and in healthcare. Both graduated from UI and, as their careers progressed, had a strong desire to give back. “We started very early making some small contributions to scholarships,” Andy says. “Sue got through the university because of scholarships and felt really compelled to continue that, with first generation students and others that could benefit.”
Thirty years later, the Susan K. Code Nursing Scholarship Fund continues to support nursing students pursuing their degrees, and the Code Family Foundation collaborates with the College of Nursing on several international nursing initiatives. These include Hawkeyes in Haiti, the Global Health Initiative in Eswatini, and funding for PhD students who have demonstrated financial need and promote global health in African countries.
The Code Family Foundation investment in nurses as changemakers and the support for nursing globally is remarkable, says Andrea Achenbach, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, assistant professor and leader of the college’s involvement in Hawkeyes for Haiti. “Nurses often don't want to take the credit, and don't ask for the credit, but a lot of what we're doing goes unnoticed,” she explains. “For [the Foundation] to take an interest and be so engaged is phenomenal.”
The Codes maintain their strong belief in the impact of exposure and service, and they have witnessed the difference it can make through their work with the Foundation. “When you take someone out of their environment and place them where they have an opportunity to serve, it is life changing,” Andy says. “I’ve seen it literally hundreds of times.”
“There are opportunities to invest in the University of Iowa other than just scholarships, chairs, and buildings,” he says. “There are opportunities to give people life experiences, and the university is looking for ways to really impact these students for life.”
“The students I have talked to who have been to Eswatini have had those kinds of experiences, and what it does—it changes the compass in your life forever.”
► Read more from the 2024 Iowa Nursing Magazine