EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a story from the spring 2007 edition of the College of Nursing publication, Advances. This and other stories from the publication will run in UNMC Today in commemoration of the college’s 90th anniversary. Click here to see the entire Advances newsletter online.
In 1917, 13 students became the founding class of a new school of nursing in Omaha.
Over the years, the school would endure many trials and eventually evolve into the UNMC College of Nursing. Today, 90 years later, the college is home to one of the top-ranked nursing programs in the country.
Across a 500-mile, statewide campus, the College of Nursing is now the largest school in the UNMC system and the largest nursing school in Nebraska, with an enrollment of more than 1,000 students in its Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff divisions.
Six deans have led the College since 1917. This is the second in a series of three stories featuring the most recent deans as they share their reflections on the occasion of the college’s 90th Anniversary.
Today, we look back with Ada Lindsey, Ph.D., professor emeritus and dean emeritus of the UNMC College of Nursing, who served as dean from 1995 to 2003.
Before arriving at UNMC in 1995, Dr. Lindsey, professor emeritus and dean emeritus of the UNMC College of Nursing, was dean of the UCLA School of Nursing.
“I made several visits in 1994 and explored Omaha and the other divisions,” she said. “The college had a very good outgoing dean in Rosalee Yeaworth. She had built a solid base, strong central support and good financial health. I was also attracted to the idea of working with a rural population, which I had not done previously.”
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Ada Lindsey, Ph.D. |
A skilled lobbyist, Dr. Lindsey routinely made the case for how increased state funding could better serve Nebraska residents, especially in rural areas. Through her efforts, the college received state approval to move faculty from nine-month appointments to 12-month appointments, which allowed year-round research, clinical practice and Nebraska outreach programs.
Building on previously established donor relationships, Dr. Lindsey established two endowed faculty chairs. Under her leadership, distance education flourished, faculty practice grew to serve diverse populations in diverse settings, and groundwork was laid for an expanded international program.
She also upgraded learning technologies, teaching tools and informatics. In addition, she added a marketing and recruiting specialist, Dani Eveloff, to increase awareness of the college, attract faculty members and draw qualified applicants to its expanded undergraduate and graduate programs.
For her own cancer care investigation, sustained throughout her career, Dr. Lindsey received a prestigious oncology research award in 2003 from the National Oncology Nursing Society.
Closely aligned with her interest in alumni relations was her desire to honor and preserve the college’s past.
“When I arrived as dean, I was struck by the fact that Nancy Schneckloth and others had put together a book about the history of the college,” Dr. Lindsey said. While there was a small room to store historical items, the materials weren’t accessible to students, faculty or alumni. She vowed to remedy the problem.
“As I began to meet alumni and hear their stories at reunions, I gained even more respect for the college’s long and rich history. I thought it was important to preserve those memories and our evolvement in nursing education,” she said. “I wanted a permanent place to showcase periods of the college’s history and its contributions to nursing education, practice, research and community service.”
Her vision came to fruition in June 2005 with the opening of the UNMC College of Nursing and Alumni History Museum on the third floor of the Omaha College of Nursing building. Dr. Lindsey returned for the “bandage cutting” grand opening.
“What I miss most,” said Dr. Lindsey, reflecting on her time as dean, “is working closely with colleagues, faculty, staff, alumni and students — especially doctoral students. I also miss the Huskers.”
She believes the college’s future is bright.
“As they have since 1917, dedicated people continue to be drawn to UNMC for first-rate nursing education,” Dr. Lindsey said. “There are more opportunities in nursing than ever before. Science is moving forward with great promise. There are many mysteries yet to be solved, but major headway is being made through research. I am optimistic and always hopeful.”