The entrance to the New Mexico State University College of Health and Social Services building received a new look in fall 2014 with the addition of the Nursing Wall of Excellence. The newly constructed 3-D wall features visual and audio historical accounts of the NMSU School of Nursing.
The Nursing Wall of Excellence inspired the Smith Family Nursing Recognition Wall, which will allow alumni and friends to honor a nurse who has touched their lives. To kick off this important initiative, the Nightingale Circle was established – 25 friends of nursing have come together to create the first engraved wooden plaques for the wall, which will include the special nurse’s name, a short quote and a photo. NMSU President Garrey Carruthers and CHSS Dean Donna Wagner are among those honoring nurses special to them.
Alumni and friends of the School of Nursing can honor a nurse by purchasing a plaque to be featured on the wall as space allows. All proceeds will go to a nursing student professional development fund. For more information or to purchase a plaque, contact Assistant Dean Jennifer Cervantes at 575-646-5985 or jcervant@nmsu.edu.
The college worked with NMSU’s Art Department to design and build the wall, which was created with resources from a generous gift from Memorial Medical Center. Gatis Cirulis, a college assistant professor in the Art Department, designed, created and installed the unit, which was celebrated with an unveiling ceremony in October 2014.
“The Nursing Wall of Excellence is a visual tribute to the nursing profession,” said Pamela Schultz, School of Nursing director and associate dean. “Our faculty, staff and nursing students can point to the wall as a living example of the nursing presence at NMSU.”
The Nursing Wall of Excellence includes a timeline of the School of Nursing history and achievements, photos of individuals who have made substantial contributions and important events that shaped the nursing program, along with video interviews of former and current faculty members, and alumni.
Information from NMSU