(L-R) Patty L. Hawken, Ph.D., dean emeritus of the School of Nursing; Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., Health Science Center president; First Lady Anita Thigpen Perry, a 1977 alumna of the School of Nursing; Jane Cheever Powell, luncheon sponsor; and the Honorable Dolph Briscoe Jr. celebrate the 35th anniversary of the School of Nursing during a May 21 luncheon.
Printer Friendly Format

Tears and cheers. These two words help describe an emotional day of recalling past achievements and applauding the future of the School of Nursing during the school’s 35th anniversary luncheon. The event, sponsored by Jane Cheever Powell, a staunch supporter of the School of Nursing and a Health Science Center President’s Council member, was held May 21 at the Oak Hills Country Club. About 350 attended.

Robin Froman, Ph.D, dean of the School of Nursing, and Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., Health Science Center president, welcomed distinguished guests and speakers, including Anita Thigpen Perry, wife of Gov. Rick Perry and a 1977 alumna of the School of Nursing, the Honorable Dolph Briscoe Jr., and Connie R. Curran, Ed.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., executive director of C-Change.

“This school has graduated more than 7,000 nurses,” Gov. Briscoe said. “Think about the impact these nurses have had on South Texas. They are providing a better quality of life for all Texans,” he said. As he introduced Perry as one of the speakers, Gov. Briscoe said: “She represents the very best of what we love about Texas. She’s made all Texans proud.”

Perry took to the stage and with tears of joy and pride in her eyes she thanked Gov. Briscoe and the faculty for making the School of Nursing what it is today. Perry had a 17-year career in the nursing profession before becoming first lady.

“None of us would be here if it weren’t for you,” she said to Gov. Briscoe, who has been a long-time supporter of the school. “I take great pride in this school. While a student, I found that the School of Nursing expanded my knowledge and heightened my excitement about the profession. It’s much more than textbooks. It’s about passion,” she said. “Think of all the young men and women who have earned nursing degrees. Think of all the lives they’ve touched.”

Robin Froman, Ph.D. (left), dean of the School of Nursing, and Graciela Cigarroa, wife of Dr. Cigarroa (right), welcome First Lady Anita Thigpen Perry to the School of Nursing 35th anniversary luncheon.

Perry then called upon Patty L. Hawken, Ph.D., dean emeritus of the School of Nursing, who was dean while Perry was a student at the Health Science Center. Dr. Hawken served as dean from 1974 to 1997, the longest tenure for any dean in the school. Under her leadership, the school saw the expansion of degree offerings to include bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, and the addition of a second building.

“Without Dr. Hawken, this school would not be what it is today,” Perry said as she presented Dr. Hawken with a plaque and announced the creation of the Patty L. Hawken Nursing Endowed Professorship that will ensure excellence in research and practice in the School of Nursing. Delight Tillotson, R.N, M.S.N, a former faculty member in the School of Nursing and a member of the Nursing Advisory Council, announced the creation of the Connie R. Curran, Ed.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Living Endowment Scholarship named for Dr. Curran, the event’s keynote speaker.

Dr. Curran engaged the audience with an inspiring story of how she defeated cancer. “Early detection is the answer,” she said. “Fear holds us back, but we must act quickly.” She discussed her role in C-Change, an organization whose mission is “to leverage the combined expertise and resources of its members to eliminate cancer as a (major) public health problem at the earliest possible time.”

“Cancer is the most feared diagnosis in the United States,” she said. One half million people are lost to cancer every year. It’s the equivalent to one World Trade Center building falling every week,” she said. “Only 4 percent of people with cancer participate in clinical trials. If we could double that number, it would help researchers to find more drugs to help cure the disease.”

Dr. Froman thanked the speakers and guests for joining in the school’s celebration.

“There is not a life in this room that has not been touched in a most wonderful and caring way by a nurse,” Dr. Froman said. “With the current U.S. shortage of nurses, we are once again reminded of how important our School of Nursing is,” she said. “The Health Science Center graduates more nurses each year than any other school in Texas. For three and a half decades, this school has done a great deal to fill the demand for nursing professionals. And we will continue to fill that need for years to come,” she said.