Campus Highlights

School of Nursing Celebrates 65 Years with Ceremony and Scholarship Fundraiser

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University School of Nursing was established in the fall of 1953. As the first basic collegiate program for African Americans in the state, the school was designed to produce nurses that were educated in scientific and technical skills as well as social responsibilities and general cultural attributes.

Out of the three hundred applicants screened, 48 people were accepted and enrolled in the fall semester of 1953. These students were taught by a staff consisting of five nurses who held degrees.

On February 11, 1954, Dr. F.D. Bluford announced that the nursing school had received provisional accreditation by the North Carolina Board of Nurse Registration and Nurse Education.

One year later, the School of Nursing finally received full accreditation. This made the school the 33rd school to become accredited in the state as well as the first integrated college program.

After completing four years in the program, students would receive a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and would be eligible take the licensure exam to become a registered nurse.

Now 65 years later, the School of Nursing still calls Noble Hall home and is now known for producing nurses who are well-equipped to handle the real world.

“Our nurses leave this campus prepared to improve lives and impact communities across the world and secure immediate employment,” said. Terry Ward, Ph.D., director, School of Nursing and associate dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “We are fortunate to have Aggie Nurses who make an indelible impact and represent this great university every day in a variety of roles within healthcare. We challenge all nurses to pay it forward.”

In commemoration, the School of Nursing held a homecoming celebration luncheon on Friday, Nov. 2, with a goal to raise $65,000 for scholarships. The celebration provided the opportunity for alumni to reconnect with each another and raise critical dollars for the department. The event included a silent auction, commemorative photograph and a ceremony honoring past and present Aggie nurses.

A portion of ticket sales went towards future nursing students that benefit tuition, exams and lab fees and other financial obligations. For alumni interested in continuing to support the nursing department, please donate at http://givenow.ncat.edu and designate the department.