WVU School of Nursing Class of 1970: Celebrating 50+ Years
The Class of 1970, among the first classes to graduate the WVU School of Nursing, has perhaps been the most active and cohesive set of alumni to-date.
“The first graduating class was 1964,” shared Marge Samsel, “so we were pretty new.”
Back then, the medical center was new and Evansdale only had two towers. The Creative Arts Center had not yet been erected and commencement ceremonies were held at the Fieldhouse.
The Class of 1970 began with roughly 85 students, organized under “The West Virginia Plan.”
“Our first dean, Dean Dorothy Major, developed a unique program of study — The West Virginia Plan,” Samsel said. “In the curriculum, we had our nursing clinicals and specialty courses every year. For example, we would have maternity classes not only in our sophomore year, but also in our junior and senior year.”
Each year, too, brought with it a different level of nursing care for the students to experience. The innovative plan, which was grounded in public health, family- and patient-centered care, and critical thinking skills, has been described as “truly visionary.”
“The program promoted, beyond any expectation, an ability to critically think because you were adding on. Going from simple to complex was exemplified by this program,” Samsel said.
The Class of 1970, self-described as “The Class that Lives on the Edge,” was comprised of a variety of Mid-Atlantic students, hailing from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey and New York. Of the 85 Pre-Nursing students, roughly 50 were admitted. The acceptance process was competitive and the curriculum was rigorous. To graduate, students needed 128 credits, one of the highest across campus.
“That gives an idea of the pride we feel. We were in a unique, highly competitive program that prepared us really well to go into the nursing field. We suffered together,” Samsel said with a laugh. “Our curriculum was so rigorous; it drew us together.”
While the class went their separate ways after graduation, they have felt a deep bond over the years, no matter the distance. Some worked as floor nurses, while others served as school nurses or community health nurses.
Many of the class have become professors, as well as authored textbooks and scholarly articles. Nineteen of the graduates obtained their master’s degrees and six obtained their doctorate degrees. One graduate, Cheryl Richter became the first CRNA ever on the Delaware Board of Nursing. Dr. Diana Mason, who was honored as WVU Alumni of the Year, served as the editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Nursing. Greta Weigold Smith, who served as the Class President, has traveled around the country meeting with class members and capturing photos with the WVU Class of 1970 banner proudly flying. For Samsel, she took her career around the country, and she said her education at WVU School of Nursing prepared her to feel confident no matter the setting.
“Greta and Marge have been a wonderful team and I know the whole class feels quite grateful for their leadership and investment of time and energy to keep us together,” said Mason, a senior policy service professor with the George Washington University School of Nursing.
Mason also shared appreciation for Andi Burdge Smith’s work on the Class of 1970’s 50th anniversary booklet, which contains information from 34 of the remaining 46 class members, along with dozens of photos and inspirational messages.
Membership with the SON Alumni Association has always been important to Samsel, and she became more active with the group in the mid-1990s, roughly 25 years after graduating. A handful of members of the Class of 1970 have also served on the advisory committee, significant for any single class. As the WVU School of Nursing celebrated its golden anniversary, four members of the Class of 1970 were awarded “Golden Graduate” status, the most of any class.
The Class of 1970 has also rallied around giving — this June, they presented the WVU School of Nursing with a check for $16,000, designated for the Student Emergency Fund. Previous contributions have been made toward a scholarship in memory of their class advisor Shirley Bell, as well as book funds and the donation and dedication of a handcrafted bench as a tangible keepsake for the school.
The class has “given back” in many ways, not only through financial gifts, but also through nursing care provision, nursing education, leadership, volunteering, and so much more.
As all good things must come to an end, so must the gatherings for the Class of 1970. They hosted their final in-person reunion June 10-12, 2022, celebrating 50-plus years of nursing excellence. During their visit, they presented Dean Tara Hulsey with their contribution to the Student Emergency Fund and took at tour of the WVU School of Nursing. Attendees also visited Dorsey’s Knob Park and enjoyed dinner at Oliverio’s. To conclude their gathering, they shared brunch at the Erickson Alumni Center on Sunday.
While their in-person reunions have come to a close, the class members will continue to connect with one another remotely, as well as support the School of Nursing and its students.
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CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu