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October 2004

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   Dr. M. Louise Fitzpatrick, dean of the College of Nursing since 1978, received an award for Outstanding Leadership in Nursing Education from the National League for Nursing, the oldest professional nursing organization in the United States, on Oct. 2, in Orlando, Fla.

   Fitzpatrick accepted the award at a banquet held during the annual Education Summit Conference. The award only is given every other year. Recipients are selected on the basis of a rigid criteria. Each must:

• Demonstrate leadership through scholarly activities.

• Show outstanding contributions as a leader in nursing  

education.

• Merit national or international acceptance for encouraging creative interactions with                    students from diverse backgrounds.

 • Serve as a role model and mentor for junior faculty.

• Be a member of the National League for Nursing and a faculty member in a NLNAC

accredited school of nursing.

   Surprised but delighted by the nomination, Fitzpatrick said, “I’m grateful and honored to be acknowledged by my peers. The College of Nursing has done a lot of growing and developing, which can’t only be credited to me but also to the wonderful support from the Villanova administration and trustees.”

   With a strong commitment to diversity, Fitzpatrick expanded study abroad programs for nursing students and increased the number of international students studying in the College of Nursing. Students from the Middle East to China have joined the College of Nursing’s undergraduate and graduate programs. “I have always felt a commitment to international study. I’m happy to say that we now have Villanova students studying in Nicaragua, Peru, Galloway, even Japan,” Fitzpatrick stated.

   Fitzpatrick has played a significant role in leading the College of Nursing to a distinguished level of excellence. Not only has the National League of Nursing acknowledged the deans accomplishments, but they also have designated the College of Nursing as a Center of Excellence in nursing education.