About the College

History

Nursing education at the University of Oklahoma originated in 1911.  At that time, a School of Nursing was organized as a two-year program under the direction of the College of Medicine at the Oklahoma City Health Sciences Center Campus.  Two years later, it became a three-year program leading to the Certificate of Graduate Nurse.  In 1913, the School graduated its first class and to date has graduated over three thousand students (1286 certificate, 2051 baccalaureate, and 368 master’s candidates have been recommended to the Graduate College.

In 1951, the program in nursing was transferred to the College of Arts and Science.  At that time, the course of study lead to a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

In February 1957, the Regents of the University of Oklahoma authorized the faculty of the College of Nursing to recommend candidates for degrees in nursing.  Since that time, the College of Nursing has annually graduated students with Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing.  One hundred and nineteen students were awarded this degree in the spring of 1985.

In the 1970 legislative session, a Concurrent Resolution passed both Houses unanimously endorsing the development of a graduate program at the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing.  In 1971, funds were appropriated and students were admitted in 1973.  The first 5 students were graduated in 1974.

History of Deans

Name Title Dates
Ada Reitz Crocker, RN Director of School of Nursing 1924-1927
Candice Monfort Lee, RN Director of School of Nursing 1930-1938
Edith Stith Triplett, RN Director of School of Nursing 1938-1941
Clara Marie Jackson Wangen, AM, RN Director of School of Nursing 1941-1943
Kathlyn A. Krammes, RN, BS, MN Director of School of Nursing 1943-1947
Clare Wolfe Jones Acting Director of School of Nursing 1944-1945
Ada Reitz Crocker, RN Acting Director of School of Nursing 1947-1948
Mary Rosch Caron, RN, BS, MA Director School of Nursing 1948-1951
Ada Hawkins, RN, BS, SM Director School of Nursing 1951-1960
Helen Patterson Chapman, RN, AB, MA Dean of School of Nursing 1960-1967
Eleanor Knudson Dean of the School of Nursing  
Gloria R. Smith, MPH Dean of Colleg of Nursing 1974-1983
Loraine Singer Dean of College of Nursing 1984-1987
Patricia R. Forni, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean of the College of Nursing 1988-2004
Carole A. Kenner, DNS, RNC, FAAN Dean of the College of Nursing 2004-2009
Lazelle E. Benefield PhD, RN, FAAN Dean of the College of Nursing 2010 - Present
 
The University of Oklahoma Copyright © 2011 The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, All Rights Reserved.
NPP and HIPAA Complaint Information | Equal Opportunity | Copyright | Disclaimer |