UNC Wilmington School of Nursing Celebrates its 40th Anniversary

The College of Health and Human Services celebrated the 40th anniversary of the School of Nursing, marking the occasion with a special event on April 15 at Warwick Center.

“Through the years, the School of Nursing has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence. This commitment is evident in the passion and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students who work tirelessly to improve healthcare in southeastern North Carolina,” said College of Health and Human Services Dean Jack C. Watson. 

The first nurses graduated in 1967 with associates degrees from Wilmington College, which became the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 1969. Between 1960 and 1990, Wilmington's population climbed from 44,000 to 55,000. More people demanded more nurses, and UNCW stepped in to help meet the need. In 1984, UNCW officially opened the School of Nursing (SON), offering the first four-year nursing degree in the region. In 1987, the first cohort of 10 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students graduated.

SON continues to grow, now boasting more than 7,000 alumni who are dedicated to improving the health of communities across North Carolina and beyond. 

“While 40 years has brought about many changes, the one thing that has remained consistent is the school’s commitment to preparing highly skilled, collaborative and compassionate nurses poised for success in an evolving healthcare environment,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. 

As SON celebrates its 40-year milestone, it remains committed to educating and empowering nursing professionals to advance the health of individuals and communities through excellence in teaching, practice, research and scholarly activity. It engages with numerous community clinical partners, large and small, that provide enhanced learning opportunities, resources and professional development for UNCW students.   

In 2010, the College of Health and Human Services was established with three professional schools: the School of Nursing, the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences and the School of Social Work.