ONEONTA, N.Y. — Hartwick College recently launched its School of Nursing — a name change to better represent the college’s existing nursing program.

“On this 80th anniversary of the nursing program, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude to the nursing alumni, current nursing students, nursing faculty, the entire nursing department, our clinical partners, and everyone else who has contributed to the success of our program,” Darren Reisberg, college president, said at an event during the college’s recent True Blue reunion weekend.

“Since that first nursing class in 1943, the art, science, and technology involved in the education of professional nurses has evolved significantly,” Patricia Grust, nursing department chair and clinical associate professor, said. “We have adapted throughout the years to maintain a high level of success and are very excited to address these ongoing challenges as we continue the Hartwick legacy.”

The new School of Nursing has a long history of leadership and service in nursing education, the college contends. The U.S. Public Health Service and State Department of Education authorized Hartwick in 1943 to be one of the first colleges to respond to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s call for a uniformed nurse reserve. That fall, eight women enrolled in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps program. 

Today, the Hartwick School of Nursing has 234 students pursuing nursing majors and boasts more than 1,500 graduates.