For 50 years, graduates of Washburn University School of Nursing have been caring for patients in the region. To celebrate their achievements, the school is hosting a 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on Saturday, September 28, at 6 p.m. in the Washburn Room of the Memorial Union on campus. The event will honor the school’s milestones and its distinguished alumni.

Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, Washburn’s president, expressed pride in the nurses’ contributions across various healthcare settings. The evening will feature dinner, speeches from President Mazachek and Dr. Jane Carpenter, the school’s dean, and the premiere of a special anniversary video. Tickets are $25, and while the community is welcome, the event is especially for alumni.

Since its first nursing program in 1974, which began with 55 students, Washburn has graduated over 5,000 nurses who play crucial roles in their communities. The celebration will highlight both the school’s rich history and its future plans for continuing excellence in nursing education.