Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing alumni, faculty and staff gathered in October to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. Five alumnae were honored for their contributions to the nursing profession.

“These five alumnae embody qualities of nursing practice, research, service and education, which have allowed the school to thrive over the last 75 years,” said Vicki A. Keough, PhD, RN-BC, ACNP, dean, MNSON. “We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and the school’s contributions to the nursing profession.”

• Excellence in Practice – Carol A. Gouty, RN (MSN ’77, PhD ’96)
• Excellence in Research – Barbara Velsor-Friedrich, PhD, RN (BSN ’74, MSN ’78)
• Excellence in Service – Susan Finn, MSN, CPNP (BSN ’77, MSN ’86)
• Excellence in Teaching – Linda Dotson, RN (BSN ’80, MSN ’87)
• Young Alumni Award – Jessica Shore Bagley, RN (BSN ’02)

The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing was founded in 1935 as the first baccalaureate nursing program in Illinois. At the time, the school was set up in five unit hospitals. It reorganized in 1949 to the four-year bachelor of science in nursing program. Today, the school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Top-rated programs are offered at all levels. These include undergraduate nursing and health systems management, master’s and doctoral level degrees, undergraduate dietetic and internship programs as well as certificate courses for professional nurses.