Methodist Kahler School of Nursing - Link Yearbook (Rochester, MN)

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7 i Hlumni Celebrate Seheels 50th Hnniversaru june 27-29 were gala emotion-packed days for those alumni who returned to M-K for Alumni Days 1968 to enjoy the usual events - but this year had an additional event that has not been usual. A two-day seminar sponsored by the Rochester Methodist Hospital on The Nursing Specialist preceded the reunion activities this year. Both the seminar and the reunion events were highlights of this year in which we commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of our school. Those who attended the seminars heard speakers Miss jean Yokes, nursing specialist, cardiovascular nursing, Kansas City Medical Center, Miss Flor- ence Blake, director, Masters program in pediatric nursing, University of Wisconsin, and Dr. David Trites, director of research, Rochester Methodist Hospital. The seminars offered a thorough descrip- tion of the functions of a nursing specialist, the academic and other requirements of this position, and stimulated a free exchange of ideas about this new type of health worker. Extensive participation by the audience enhanced the enthusiasm which marked all the sessions. Alumni returned from both coasts and many other parts of the United States C20 statesj as well as from such distant points as Geneva, Switzerland, and Alaska, approximately 500 joined in the fes- t1v1t1es. Major reunions were held by four classes with numerals ending in eight, but many alumni from other classes also attended. Registration figures showed the following totals for the reunion classes: 1928 - 22,1938 - 20,1948 - 51,1958 - 48. On Saturday morning alumni began pouring into Clara Madsen Hall where they were greeted by a huge banner reading Welcome Alumni . The coffee was a mixer where alumni'had a chance to communicate with classmates and faculty from gen- erations both before and since their own. From 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. reunion classes held special luncheons and had their class pictures taken. In the afternoon many took advantage of the tours through the Rochester Methodist Hospital and Clara Madsen Hall. As evening approached the scene shifted to the Kahler Hotel where over 450 alumni and visiting wives and husbands attended the banquet. Mrs. Edward Brackenbury, '42 was mistress of cere- monies for the after dinner program. The Reverend Raymond B. Spurlock gave the invocation. Dr. Gerald M. Needham brought greetings from the board of directors of the school and hospital. Miss Eleanor Smith, alumnus and director of our school, complimented the alumni on the excellent reputa- tion they have established as nurse practitioners which has reflected favorably on the school and also has served as a stimulus for keeping a quality program at M-K. In reviewing some historical facts she pointed out that during the past fifty years one hundred and fifteen M-K graduates have served their school as faculty members. She then paid tribute to two well-known faculty members who left the school in August. A standing ovation and applause saluted Miss Nina Pladson, '27, nurs- ing arts instructor, and Miss Myrl I. Peterson, '37, science instructor. At one point in the program, students wearing the M-K uniforms of the past passed in review while Miss Grace Lahre '29 amused everyone with her own original thumbnail sketch of M-K's history. Following the style show, the students lighted the candles on the large four-foot high birthday cake which the Rochester Methodist Hospital had pre- sented to the alumni in honor of the occasion. The highlight of the program came when Miss Lois Arneson '45, alumni president, unveiled and presented to Miss Smith for the school a cast iron replica of the M-K cap mounted on a wooden base, a gift from the alumni association. This object d' art is a permanent symbol of the school's con- tribution-that of serving humanity for fifty-two years. The model cap will be placed in the hospital so alumni past and future will always have a tan- gible reminder of their school's existence and its contributions to nursing and society. It also tells of the real feeling of loyalty alumni have for their alma mater. Closing our 50th birthday party Miss Marian Hall '33, standing in the glow of the candles on the cake, led the old grads in singing the original Alma Mater. The banquet was followed by a dance and parties which continued long past midnight. Comments and messages received since Alumni Days have been most complimentary. Alumni offi- cers and committees can take a well deserved pat on the back. Having a luncheon for those not in the reunion classes was a wonderful idea. All the meals were excellent and we too had an opportunity to visit. The weekend was an experience in sharing. Greetings, cordiality, coffee, memories, congratula- tions, gifts, honors, all added to the enthusiasm and excitement of the events. I enjoyed having the opportunity to see and hear members of the faculty we so appreciate. Another excellent part of the program was the style show and student chorus. It's good to see the pres- ent students - and they did their parts well. I wish to express thanks and appreciation to the alumni people in Rochester for all that was done for the Class of '48 and for me personally. It was an unforgettable experience. I have been back for all my class reunions and have long felt that our association has an excellent approach to a happy alumni weekend. As it is set up we oldsters coming back see our own generation yet we also feel close to other classes. We enjoy the signs of growth and progress but do not feel alienated. The alumni who came from Alaska, Switzer- land, California and other places at considerable expense all said, f'It was worth every cent, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. The large attendance at the dinner should indi- cate to all of you the interest in this alumni event. Surely we just celebrated one of the most successful Alumni Days.

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miss Pladson Hetires Miss Nina Pladson, a faculty member known by hundreds of students, retired in August of 1968 after 26 years of service to the Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing. Miss Pladson graduated from the Kahler Hos- pitals School of Nursing in 1927. She attended State Teachers College in Mayville, North Dakota, and in 1947 she received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. In 1951 she earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University. Her broad experience in nursing and in nursing education have made Miss Pladson a valuable member of the faculty. Her first position was head nurse at the Worrall Hospital Qtwo yearsl. Succeed- ing positions included that of supervisor Qfveyearsl and assistant superintendent Ctwo yearsj at Robert Long Hospital, University of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, instructor in nursing arts at Bismark Hos- pital, Bismark, North Dakota Cone yearj, assistant dean of women, State Teachers College, Mayville, North Dakota fthree uyearsj, instructor in nursing arts at Brokaw Hospital, Normal, Illinois Coneyearl, and instructor in charge of nursing courses during the freshman year at Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing C26 yearsj. Miss Pladson has always exemplified a role model of a nurse that students found inspirational. Her modern philosophy of nursing was consistently re- flected in all of her teaching. Her skill in demon- strating nursing care transformed the classroom setting into a realistic situation-revealing, perhaps, a hidden talent for acting. She also looks like an ideal nurse - impeccably groomed, attractive, calm and poised. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Miss Pladson provided understanding guidance to stu- dents in other roles. For 18 years, while she served as residence director at Colonial House, Delano, Palmer and Damon Halls, she listened to students' Problems, met their boy friends, shared the excite- ment of plans for careers and weddings. As adviser to the Classes of 1945, 1948, 1956, 1959 and 1962, she spent 15 years helping students to achieve group identification through social and organiza- tional activities. Miss Pladson's retirement marks the end of an era in the history of the school. The fall of 1968 is the first year in which no freshmen students were admitted g therefore, the nursing fundamentals de- partment was discontinued. During the years that Miss Pladson was in charge of this department, she helped it to grow. The staff was increased from two to five, which made it possible to provide guidance by instructors for students when they were in the clinical area. The physical facilities of the depart- ment were also improved. From its overcrowded and unattractive location in the basement of Kahler Hall, the department was first moved to the fourth floor of the Worrall Hospital annex and in 1966 to the fifth floor of the Colonial Building. Miss Pladson's skill in planning, and her good taste in decor, produced classroom facilities that were func- tionally efficient and attractive. On July 8, a party in her honor was held at Clara Madsen Hall and students, faculty and hos- pital staff came to wish her well. Miss Pladson now resides in her home town of Hatton, North Dakota, with a sister and brother. IH-H Graduate Promoted A news release sent from the Activities Ofiice of Walter Reed Army Medical Center reported that on January 18, 1968 Army Nurse, Major Marian C. I. Kennedy CMarz'an Itse, '47j, was pro- moted to Lieutenant Colonel in a ceremony at Walter Reed Hospital where she is a Supervisor of a surgical unit. Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy entered the mil- itary service in 1943 and served as a staff nurse in Iran and Italy until 1946 when she left the service. She was then employed as a head nurse at the Tacoma General Hospital, Tacoma, Washington until 1951 when she re-entered the Army Nurse Corps. Her assignments since then were at Fort Lewis, Washington, two tours of duty in Japan, one in Okinawa, and at Fort Benning Georgia, Fort Leav- enworth Kansas, Fort Belvoir Virginia and in Korea just prior to her assignment at Walter Reed in October 1966. Nurse Kennedy and her husband Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Kennedy live in Silver Springs, Maryland. From Ruth Haarsma, '65, Jos, North Nigeria, W. Africa, January 1968: My work continues to be interesting-so many illnesses which I only read about and never saw while a student are becoming a real experience. In February I will be leaving the mission station for a few months of intensive language study. So far I have had to communicate through an inter- pretor which has many disadvantages.. In May I will begin teaching a course in anatomy to a class of mid-wives and thanks to all that I learned while at M-K I think I'll be able to man- age.

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Ht The Hlumni Banquet The following messages of congratulations were read by Miss Smith: . It has come to my attention that the Methodist- Kahler School of Nursing will observe the 50th Anniversary of its founding at an alumni reunion. This is a Golden Anniversary that certainly deserved my sincere appreciation and hearty con- gratulations, on behalf of the citizens of Minnesota. The Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing has effectively complemented Rochester's great inter- nationally famous healing arts center. I want to commend all who have contributed to the half century of humanitarian service and success of this noble institution. Harold LeVander Governor State of Minnesota Congratulations to the members of the staff, the students and the alumni of the Methodist-Kahler school of Nursing as you celebrate the fiftieth anni- versary of its founding. Please extend my best wishes to all in attendance. Albert H. Quie Member of Congress Reaching the Golden Anniversary fifty-year mark in the profession of teaching the skills of nursing to thousands of students of the Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing is certainly a significant and historical accomplishment. ' I wish to add my congratulations and appreci- ation for the wonderful service to mankind that Methodist-Kahler School has given over the past fifty years. Such efforts deserve the greatest admir- ation and expressions of sincere thanks from all in our community of Rochester, and in addition there- to from our entire State, and people throughout the world who have had the blessing of being cared for by the most excellent graduates of Methodist- Kahler. Harold Krieger State Senator, 4th Legislative District Rochester, Minnesota I have just returned from the Seminar sponsored by the Methodist Hospital. I enjoyed the two days very much and have some appreciation of the planning and work that made it so effective. Congratulations on the fiftieth anniversary of the Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing. Best wishes for a happy alumni reunion. Sister M. julie W Director St. Marys School of Nursing Congratulations on this happy occasion. Sorry I can't be with you. Your many and varied suc- Cesses, loyalty to your school and happy comrade- Shlps are of my early dreams for you, come true. Thank you for letting me be one of you through these many years. Good wishes to all. Irene English Countryman Fourth director of the school more Hhuui the 50th Hnniversaru In honor of this celebration, the Alumni Associ- ation provided the financial support for the publi- cation of an historical booklet which was distrib- uted to the entire M-K family and many friends of the school. Miss Eleanor Smith '36, director of the school, spent several months researching and writing the publication. She collected data from hundreds of letters, papers, minutes, documents, and by inter- viewing persons who had intimate knowledge of the school. The research turned up considerable buried treasure in the way of source material. She found pictures of early classes which had been stored away by M-K graduates which showed the first cap worn by those first 5 students. Miss Smith presented in her own literary style an informal, readible chronicle of the school's main- stream of events over the past fifty years. It is no small task to prepare a publication whose contents were fifty years in the making. The booklet 50 years serving humanigf through edu- cation is thirty-two pages and is illustrated with symbols, photographs of people, places and events memorable in the school's history. The Board of Directors of the alumni association voted to have a commemorative bronze medallion cast as a memento of the school's 50th anniversary. Miss Lois Arneson '45, past president, and Miss Joan Bruce '60, .vice-president, designed the face of the medallion and jostens manufactured it. It is 3 x ZMU and incorporates the school pin. It is pleasing to the sight as well as the touch. They are available through the Alumni Association for 35.00. . . 593 454 mt-. rgl?a?: is liirk itiiitilira nfiilii f . gig ' ' I W' 1 Q59 6 f .- Q pfbgfii 'fi x il f ia- . 1-x:3 N 3:5 qiivluvu I From Major William P. Hansen, USAF NC, '54, April 1968: HI am in the process of applying for school under the auspices of the Air Force Institute of Tech- nology. I have spent two three year tours of duty in England and am now assigned to Viet Nam for air evacuation. Gerald Tegen, '55 is also assigned to Viet Nam. This is the third assignment we have had together. Jerry has been accepted for under- graduate study and will be starting that in January 1969.