First Nursing Class Reunites After 57 Years

The first Walla Walla University nursing class met for their 57-year reunion at Hansen Hall on the Portland, Ore., campus in June.

The original class had 12 students, and six were present at the reunion, including Geraldine Losey Crowell Woods, Ramona Bates Wesson, Donna Newell Burns Lindstrom, Priscilla Hardt Gardner, Donna Loop Krause Pigg and Pauline Sankey White.

In reminiscing, the alumni recalled five students who wanted to get married before graduation, but had to request permission from the teaching staff. (All five got a yes.) They also remembered that all of the students passed their state boards the first time.

The reunion was also the first day of classes for current nursing students. Lucille Krull, WWU's School of Nursing dean, gave a tour of the current classrooms.

Featured in: November 2008