Grand Junction Times

For six decades, the University of Northern Colorado’s School of Nursing in the College of Natural and Health Sciences has had a strong history of educating nurses to provide compassionate, courageous and competent care to patients across Colorado and beyond through research and practice. 

Like the health care industry, the School of Nursing has evolved throughout the years since it was founded in 1962. The first class was enrolled in 1963 and the following year, the first capping ceremony was held with five nursing students. Sixty years later, in the fall of 2022, 477 students were enrolled in the 10 programs currently offered. And in total, more than 6,000 students have graduated from the School of Nursing prepared to assume leadership roles in practice, education and research, since its inception. 

To celebrate this achievement, a ceremony was held on Friday, Dec. 2, in the Campus Commons where faculty and alumni were honored for advancing the health of the public.  

“We are incredibly grateful to the previous faculty and alumni who have, and still are contributing to, the strong foundation of excellence of the School of Nursing programs, for which we continue to build upon,” said Director Melissa Henry, Ph.D.  

The anniversary celebration included an open house in Gunter Hall and a reception that featured live music, a silent auction and dinner. Attendees were also able to enjoy pictures throughout the last 60 years, reminisce on the evolution of nursing attire and take a picture with Florence Nightingale, one of the founders of modern nursing, in a photobooth. 

Original source can be found here.