The School of Nursing began in the 1930's as a division of the School of Medicine and became an independent unit within the University in 1940. Nearly 6,000 alumni have graduated from the school's programs, which span the academic spectrum from the baccalaureate through the doctoral degree.

The School has grown significantly in sophistication and scholarship since Mrs. Anne Sengbusch was appointed the founding dean. Each faculty member, each dean and each alumni have contributed to this growth. Yet, shaped as it is by its history the School is destined always to be a work in progress. Excellent nurses and leaders have been educated here but there are always new horizons to be explored and new challenges to pursue. Now, perhaps more than ever before staggering changes in health care and in society call for innovation and flexibility in education, and for increases in the efforts to make our research relevant to solving the everyday problems of our world.

Our current students will be the nursing leaders of the 21st century, many of them practicing until nearly mid-century. As we reflect on the changes that have occurred during the School of Nursing's history, we can scarcely imagine the world in which our students will practice. In spite of that, we must give them today the skills that they will use tomorrow. These are skills of the intellect - to solve problems, to make decisions, to continue learning - and skills of the heart - to value the individuality of all people, to champion the vulnerable, to care and to comfort.

On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students of the School of Nursing, I welcome your interest in the School of Nursing.

Jean K. Brown, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor