Southeastern Nursing - 50th Anniversary

50th Anniversery Gala October 10, 2014

A message from President John L. Crain More than 50 years ago, area leaders in our community, as well as members of Southeastern’s administration, recognized the importance of addressing the growing need for well-prepared healthcare professionals.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities were expanding to accommodate improvements in general and specialty medical care, while clinics and medical practices were providing increased access to care for the public. After several years of surveys and feasibility studies, the need to establish a strong undergraduate nursing program for the Northshore region was recognized, and the Southeastern nursing program was initiated in 1964.

This year, the nursing program celebrates its Golden Anniversary — 50 years of educating the well-prepared professionals envisioned by our former leaders. What started out in an old Army barracks building with a director and faculty of three has grown into a program with more than 50 faculty and over 1,600 majors. Recognized three times in recent years as the Outstanding Nursing School of the Year by the Louisiana Nurses Association, the Southeastern program has repeatedly demonstrated the quality of education it provides, having produced more than 4,000 graduates who are filling vital roles in our healthcare system as practitioners and administrators.

In addition, master’s degree programs and a doctoral program in advanced nursing practice have widened the scope of nursing education that Southeastern now offers.

With steady growth, the nursing program moved from a barracks building into White Hall, then Mims Hall, where it was housed for 20 years. A facility in Baton Rouge provided additional classroom and lab space for upper level students. In 2012, the program moved into a new $13 million facility. There our students enjoy learning on stateof-the-art equipment under the supervision of an excellent faculty.

Throughout its history, the nursing program has embraced the same qualities that make our university special to so many others: a caring atmosphere, a family-like environment and people dedicated to the success of the students who pass through our halls. On behalf of Southeastern Louisiana University, I congratulate those individuals who have worked tirelessly over the years to make the Southeastern nursing program a model of academic excellence.

Program Introduction

Kathy Pittman

Welcome Recognition of Special Guests and Sponsors

John L. Crain

Ann Carruth

Commemorative activities for 50th Anniversary

Ann Carruth

Achievements: School of Nursing

Eileen Creel

Reflections Lorinda Sealey

Celebration Karen Hill

Nursing at Southeastern 50 Years of Building a Legacy of Nursing Education Excellence It started in 1964 as a barebones program with three initial graduates, three faculty members and a mere $30,000 budget. Over 50 years, however, the nursing program at Southeastern Louisiana University has grown in size, scope, and reputation to the point where it is now considered by many as one of the top nursing education centers in Louisiana.

Formal recognition of those 50 years of excellence in nursing education at Southeastern is being celebrated this fall 2014. From its lean beginnings, the program now enrolls approximately 1,600 nursing majors across three undergraduate and graduate nursing degree programs, employs over 50 faculty and has graduated more than 4,000 students. Today the school offers a bachelor of science in nursing, a master of science in nursing and a post-master’s doctor of nursing practice degree. In 2012, the program admitted its first cohort for the post-MSN doctorate of nursing practice. And by next fall, 2015, plans are in place to admit the first BS to DNP cohort.

Having grown and evolved over 50 years, these three degree programs continue to meet the nursing and healthcare needs of the people of Louisiana and the nation.

As early as 1951, the feasibility of establishing an undergraduate nursing degree program at Southeastern was being explored. The need for a program in what is now referred to as the Northshore to prepare collegiate level professional nurses was verified

The initial graduating class included three students. Pictured from left are Lynn Robinson, Ava Lou Ledford, instructor Naomi Cozart, and Maxine Harper.

Top: Opal Carl served as the first director of the Division of Nursing, organizing the curriculum and recruiting the initial faculty.

Above: Betty Messersmith succeeded Carl, serving as director from 1967 to 1970.

by numerous surveys of the region, including studies done by the Federal Government through the efforts of U.S Representative James Morrison. Twelve years later in 1963, the efforts of university administrators and community leaders came to fruition when the Louisiana Board of Education authorized the establishment of a baccalaureate nursing program to be initiated the following year. The legacy of the program developed through the tenure of seven university presidents that included Drs. Luther Dyson, Clea Parker, J. Larry Crain, G. Warren Smith, Sally Clausen, Randy Moffett, and John L. Crain.

Following the approval, Opal Carl was employed as the first Director of the Division of Nursing. Her task was to develop the nursing curriculum, employ faculty, secure adequate clinical facilities, and to petition the Louisiana State Board of Nurse Examiners (now the Louisiana State Board of Nursing), for approval of the program to prepare graduates for registered nurse licensure. Three faculty were employed to assist in the planning process: Naomi Cozart, Virgina Harmeyer and Jane Rainey.

In 1966, initial approval by the LSBN was granted for the program, and the first students were admitted to the upper division of the baccalaureate program.

The Division of Nursing was originally housed in an old Army Barracks that sat at the current location of the baseball practice field.

In fall 1967, Betty Messersmith was named to head the program, and four faculty were hired. They included Mary Lou Burris, Helen Dunn, Virginia Galey and Ellienne Tate. Dr. J.B. Wooley was acting president of Southeastern at that time.

The first students and faculty used clinical teaching laboratories in healthcare agencies in the Hammond area that included 7th Ward General Hospital, (now North Oaks Health System), Tangipahoa Parish Health Units, Southeast Louisiana Hospital and Greenwell Springs TB Sanatorium. Junior level students traveled to West Jefferson General Hospital in Marrero. Students and faculty stayed at the hospital two nights and three days per week.

“Tuition was only $94 a semester when we started,” recalls Ava Ladell (formerly Ledford). “Miss Carl taught us our first class, then the new faculty were added.“ Those first classmates — Ladell, Maxine Harper (now deceased), and Lynn Robinson — became very close.

“As classmates, we did everything together,” Ladell said. “On Monday evenings we would drive to the Westbank with our instructor and stayed on the hospital campus through Thursday evening. No time was wasted, because our clinical instructor basically conducted class in the car.”

A great sacrifice was made by both students and faculty to ensure the quality and future of the program. The three students graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May 1968. The LSBN then granted full approval for the program in 1969.

As the program evolved, so did the need for clinical agency affiliation. A program that began with five clinical agencies now has over 300 contractual agreements with agencies throughout Louisiana. Facility requirements also increased. The program moved to White Hall in 1989, and then to Mim’s Hall in 1991 where it was housed for approximately 20 years.

In the 1969–1970 academic year, Southeastern reorganized its academic units into the Colleges of Business, Education, Science and Technology, the School of Nursing and School of Graduate Studies.

Shortly thereafter in 1970, Southeastern was named a university.

Dr. Ellienne Tate was named head of the nursing program in 1970 by Dr. Clea Parker, president.

At the time, the program had grown to six nursing faculty and approximately 100 students. A classroom and dormitory building became available in Baton Rouge, and the university leased this facility from Baton Rouge General Hospital in 1971. This building provided classrooms, offices and dormitory space.

The majority of the upper division clinical courses were offered in this facility, and faculty and students no longer traveled to West Jefferson in Marrero.

With the establishment of a second campus and continued program growth, a director for each campus was named. Dr. Delta Campo was named director at the Baton Rouge Campus and Ms. Juanita

The initial home for the Division of Nursing was in a recycled Army barracks located on south campus. Dr. Ellienne Tate, right, became the third head of the division, serving until her retirement in 1998.

Stucker for Hammond. They were followed by Dr. Peggy Harris and Dr. Kay Thornhill in Baton Rouge, and Dr. Donnie Booth and Dr. Barbara Moffett in Hammond.

The School of Nursing was granted national accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) in 1976. The school maintained this accreditation until it sought and was granted accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education in 2007. The program has remained nationally accredited since 1976.

With continued grpwth in enrollment, additional space was needed to house the rapidly expanding classroom and clinical needs. In 1982 a multi-million dollar facility for nursing was built on Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. The administration and board of Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center were instrumental in assisting Southeastern to acquire the property.

Approval for the purchase of the property and funds for planning were received during Dr. Clea Parker’s tenure. The building was finished and occupied under the tenure of Dr. J. Larry Crain. The major clinical facilities in the Baton Rouge area included Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Earl K. Long Memorial Hospital and Woman’s Hospital.

The uniform for students in the undergraduate program also reflects societal changes. The first students wore a green and white pinstripe uniform with a nursing cap that was designed and worn only by the students at Southeastern. The initial uniform and cap were adopted by the first nine students enrolled in the program. Interestingly, when the program initially began, female students were not allowed to wear slacks. The uniform also had to be adapted when male students entered the program.

This uniform evolved over time and is now simply a forest green scrub.

The design of the School of Nursing pin remains the same as was adopted by the first nine students in 1967. The history of the pin appears in the program at each pinning ceremony: The Nursing Pin is a distinctive mark rich in history and meaning. It can be traced to the concept of heraldry, which is a system of devising and granting insignias for coats of arms.

The origin of the concept of the nursing pin dates back to 1855 when Florence Nightingale was awarded a broach by Queen Victoria for her effort in the Crimean War. The pin was designed by the Queen’s husband, Prince Albert and consisted of a red enamel cross surrounded by an opal and topped by a diamond crown.

The Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing Pin was adopted in the 1960’s and was first worn by the graduating class of 1968. The Pin uses Southeastern’s colors of gold for worthiness and green for eternal life. The seal of the University, a pelican with three youths signifying union, justice, and confidence, appears on the Pin. A focal point of the Pin is the Greek lamp of knowledge that became associated with Florence Nightingale after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote ‘Lady with a Lamp’ honoring her.

The privilege of wearing this special Pin is limited to the graduates of the Southeastern Louisiana University Nursing Program.

During the presidency of Dr. G. Warren Smith, the program moved into graduate nursing education when it and four other Louisiana institutions formed a unique intercollegiate consortium to offer a master of science in nursing degree program in 1989. The consortium was developed through a grant of more than $1 million submitted by Southeastern to HRSA

by Dr. Carole Lund, who served as the first Director of Graduate Nursing Education at Southeastern. The original institutions in the consortium were Southeastern, McNeese State University, Southern University-Baton Rouge and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Southern University eventually withdrew from the consortium, and Nicholls State University joined in 2012, hence the consortium remains a unique four-institution model for providing advanced education in nursing. Dr. Lund was followed as director of the program by Dr. Cynthia Prestholdt, Dr. Ann Carruth and Dr. Lorinda Sealey.

Dr. Tate retired as dean on September 30, 1998 and Dr. Donnie Booth was named Acting Dean and then Dean of the School of Nursing and later Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. An early graduate of Southeastern’s nursing program, Dr. Booth introduced honor societies in nursing to the

Top: The official pin of the School of Nursing is worn proudly and exclusively by graduates of the program.

Above: The early nursing classes at Southeastern were a tight knit group, “doing everything together,” as one graduate recalls.

School, oversaw the expanding enrollment numbers in both undergraduate and graduate education and the development of a new, completely online RN to BS degree program.

In July 2000 the School of Nursing became the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and included the School of Nursing and the departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Kinesiology and Health Studies, as well as the University Health Center. In 2013, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences was reorganized to include the School of Nursing, and the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, and the Department of Health and Human Sciences.

An honor society for nursing was established in 1982 and eventually became the Rho Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Through this association, scholarship and academic excellence remains a program focus. To date, 637 members have been inducted into this prestigious society.

In 2010 an addition to the Kinesiology and Health Building was completed to house the School of Nursing. This $13 million dollar capital outlay project added 35,000 square feet that provides state-of-theart classrooms, skills and simulation laboratories, faculty conference room, and School of Nursing faculty offices. Plans and legislative approval for this new facility were initiated during the presidency of Dr. Randy Moffett and completed under the presidency of Dr. John Crain.

Dr. Donnie Booth, left, served as dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences from from 1998 until her retirement in 2009; Dr. Barbara Moffett served as head of the School of Nursing and later followed Booth as interim dean for 18 months.

The School of Nursing moved into a new $13 million home when a 35,000 square foot addition to the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Building was constructed.

The School of Nursing’s Baton Rouge facility provides classroom and lab space for upper level nursing students.

A post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) was approved by the Board of Regents and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 2012. The first cohort of 10 was admitted in fall 2010 and will graduate in spring 2015. This accomplishment is a reflection of the quality of the program, including the exceptional preparation of the faculty as well as the legacy of the success of the graduates.

During Dr. Booth’s tenure, Dr. Barbara Moffett served as department head for the School of Nursing. Together they worked to see Southeastern expand its clinical partnerships and increase the availability of online courses. The School developed an alternative program to assist students with prior bachelor’s degrees to complete the nursing curriculum and the initiation of the doctorate of nursing, which was approved in collaboration with the University of Lousiana-Lafayette in 2012. Dr. Booth retired in 2009, and Dr. Moffett served as Interim Dean for 18 months before retiring as well. Dr. Ann Carruth was named Dean in 2011, and Dr. Eileen Creel was named the Department Head of the School of Nursing. The proposal for the post-master’s DNP was developed, approved and implemented as a major milestone of Dr. Carruth’s and Dr. Creel’s tenure. The Board of Regents approved the DNP in spring 2011, and the first cohort admitted in fall 2012.

The curriculum for each degree program in nursing remains dynamic in keeping with changing healthcare needs and trends. Examples include a

Top: Dr. Ann Carruth is the current dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Above: Dr. Eileen Creel is the current head of the School of Nursing

more community focused undergraduate program, an online RN to BSN program, and an alternative program for college graduates returning for a nursing degree.

In the 50 years of excellence in nursing education at Southeastern, several faculty served for 30 years or more. Those who retired after a life’s work at Southeastern include Dr. Ellienne Tate, Dr. Donnie Booth, Dr. Barbara Hyde Davison, Joyce Maynor, Dr. Barbara Moffett, Dr. Catherine Holland, Sandra Macmurdo, Dr. Emily Bond, Betty Guy and Dr. Cynthia Logan.

Faculty serving for at least 25 years include Dr. Peggy Harris, Georgia Lacour, Dr. Karen Moody, Ruth Rolling, Yolanda Jean Urick, Dr. Cynthia Prestholdt, and Betsy Tackney. The exceptional preparation of the faculty and their commitment to Southeastern has been phenomenal.

The legacy of excellence is evident in the performance of the graduates of the School of Nursing.

Graduates are contributing to nursing excellence in Louisiana and throughout the United States. The work of graduates and their contributions to nursing and nursing care are the primary criteria by which quality and program success are judged. The School of Nursing has truly established a legacy of excellence through the work of its graduates. A debt of gratitude and appreciation is extended to the many individuals, groups and health care agencies that have nourished the program through the past 50 years.

Special thanks to Drs. Ellienne Tate and Donnie Booth for their work in researching and writing this brief history.

Louisiana Nurses Foundation Nightingale Awards 2002 RECIPIENTS Glenda Carlile Hall of Fame

Donnie Booth (’69) Nursing School Administrator of the Year

2011 RECIPIENTS Barbara Moffett Hall of Fame

Sarah Kay Thornhill Hall of Fame

Marie Billings Volunteer of the Year

Laura Clouatre (’82, ’93) Mentor of the Year

Baton Rouge District District of the Year

2008 RECIPIENTS Laura “Beth” Conner (’85) Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year

Hayden Bell (’09) Rookie of the Year

Southeastern Nursing Nursing School of the Year 2003 RECIPIENTS Barbara Moffett Nursing Educator of the Year Monica Nijoka (’77) Nursing Administrator of the Year Ann Carruth (’84) Nurse Researcher of the Year

Mary Broussard (’99) Administrator of the Year Melanie Green (’99) Nursing School Administrator of the Year Southeastern Nursing Nursing School of the Year

Kyle Hargroder (’08) Rookie of the Year Lisa Deaton (’76) Volunteer of the Year 2012 RECIPIENTS Wanda Spurlock (’84) Hall of Fame Ray Landreneau (’81) Mentor of the Year

2004 RECIPIENTS Donnie Booth (’69) Hall of Fame

2009 RECIPIENTS Susan Steele-Moses (’98) Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year

Barbara Cordell (’82) Hall of Fame

Dana Ydarraga (’10) Mentor of the Year

Amye Reeves (’11) Mentor of the Year

Karen Hill (’79) Nursing Educator of the Year

Channel Bradford (‘07) Rookie of the Year

Cynthia Bienemy (’81) Outstanding Nurse Researcher

Melissa Stewart (’93) Volunteer of the Year

Wanda Spurlock (’84) Outstanding Community Service

2005 RECIPIENTS Tangipahoa District Nurses Association District of the Year

Keeley Dupuy (’04) Volunteer of the Year

Intercollegiate Consortium for MSN Nursing School of the Year – Advanced Nurse Practice Program

2010 RECIPIENTS Susan Steele-Moses (’98) Mentor of the Year

2014 RECIPIENTS Ann Carruth (’84) Hall of Fame

Corinne Rougeau (’77) Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year

Cynthia Prestholdt Hall of Fame

2006 RECIPIENTS Staci Sullivan (’86, ’96) Mentor of the Year Margaret Delaune (’92) Advance Practice Nurse of the Year Kristy Simmons (’13) Outstanding Community Service 2007 RECIPIENTS Lucie Agosta (’83) Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year Wanda Hughes (’77, ’92) Administrator of the Year

Barbara Moffett Volunteer of the Year

2013 RECIPIENTS Marilyn Sullivan (’86) Hall of Fame

Eric Rome (’03) Nurse of the Year

Cynthia Prestholdt Volunteer of the Year

Carol Tingle (’96) Nursing School Administrator of the Year

Coletta Barrett (’91) Outstanding Community Service

Coletta Barrett (’91) Volunteer of the Year

Carla Johnson (’06) Nurse of the Year

Outstanding Nursing Alumni

‘50 for 50’

Jennifer Bumm Alleman Rachel Fillingame Artigues Shani Gorio Aspirion Nicole Barton Barnum Coletta Cooper Barrett Cynthia Tolbert Bienemy Amy Ibert Binck Kenneth E. Byrd Lizabeth J. Caminita Jackie Himel Carr Karla J. Chenevert Beth Guidry Conner Susan Laborerdette Creel Paula Pennington de la Bretonne Lisa M. Deaton Nicole Square Decuir Carolyn R. Himel Wanda Gillespie Hughes Jeffrey D. Jarreau Charla B. Johnson Ava Ledford Ladell Hal D. Lamb Ray J. Landreneau Glenn J. Landry Jennifer H. LeBlanc

Advisory Board Colletta Barrett Pam Black Bridgette Davis Alexis Ducorbier James Griffith Dottie Kubricht Carole Lund Kerry Milton Rob Peltier Cynthia Prestholdt James Ragland Shelly Welch

Ryan D. Lesaicherre Terri Lowry Lewis Ellie Barker Lomzenski Laura E. Lucky Janet Planche Morse Tammy Yarborough Murphy Chris M. Perret Pamela A. Pourciau Sydney Perry Prescott Jennifer Cummins Robinson Terri A. Roussel Donna C. Schero Edna Williams Scott Betty Sharkey Smart Wanda Raby Spurlock Clay E. Stanley Staci Hammons Sullivan Jennifer Holliday Thomas Brinette A. Thompson Dennis E. Truxillo Justin M. Vermeulen Monica Nijoka Winkler Cheryl P. Woods Dana M. Ydarraga Cynthia A. York

Anniversary Sponsors CHAMPIONS Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center LEADERS North Oaks Health System CAREGIVERS Hurst Review Services, Inc. FRIENDS Dayna M. Breaud, Class of ’93, ’97 CARE, Inc. Louisiana Heart Hospital MassMutual Financial Group of Louisiana Pontchartrain Investment Management St. Tammany Parish Hospital Woman’s Hospital

Achieving excellence

in your own backyard is gold‌and green!

For 50 years, Southeastern’s School of Nursing has been building a legacy of excellence, preparing its students as healers, caregivers and leaders to meet the healthcare demands of Louisiana communities. Together we share a commitment to protecting and improving the lives of Louisianians.

Congratulations on 50 years of excellence in nursing!

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