East Carolina University

The North Carolina Legislature, at the urging of East Carolina College and the people of the State's eastern counties, established a baccalaureate program in nursing at East Carolina University in 1959 and appropriated funds for its support.

In March, 1961, the School of Nursing was first approved by the North Carolina Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education and also became a member agency of the National League for Nursing in the Department of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs.

The School received accreditation from the National League for Nursing in the Fall of 1964, following graduation of the first nursing class. Accreditation and membership have continued since that time with the most recent accreditation granting full approval until 2002.

The first class of nursing students was admitted in the Fall Quarter, 1960. Seventeen nursing majors were graduated during commencement in 1964. That class was responsible for the design of the school pin that graduates wear today.

Since its founding, the School of Nursing has continued to grow in numbers from the original class of 25 and 3 faculty members. The school, originally housed in the Graham Building, moved into an 8 room house located at 505 E. Eighth Street in 1963. In 1967, the school was moved into the Rivers Building which is its current home.

In 1987, the School of Nursing became a part of the Division of Health Sciences along with the Schools of Allied Health Sciences and Medicine and the Health Sciences Library.

Dates: 1961-present