Dr, Geraldine Hansen has been on the ficulty at WSC since 1959. She was dairman of the department of nursing — 979-80, and is now state director of nursing — mda Major in the Army Nurse Corps of } the U.S. Army Reserve. ntly the! has been s in Salt? t Center : booklet .ward in’ lication. — She is a member of National League for Nursing and American Nurses Assn. and has numerous presentations and publications to her credit. teaching” of Utah," stant for! U of US of WSC nursing — a position Ruth Stewart Swenson sits at the desk now occupied by Dr. Gerry Hansen, chairman nursing program. Ruth came the and students the on been has Ruth Ruth held for 18 years. Gerry recalls the influence program gained national to Weber in 1953 to pioneer As sociate Degree Nursing in Utah. Under her direction the the state. Ruth served as consultant and placed WSC in the leadership role for assoc iate degree nursing in | AS, Weber State College BS. University of Utah MA. Brigham Young University B.D. Brigham: Young University recognition to many colleges throughout the country. EI Ga Dr. Hansen attributes Ruth Swenson’s success Gerry Hansen remembers ... Ruth Swenson, WSC’s first director of nursing, spread her tender loving care past the sick bed, into the classroom and beyond. Dr. Gerry Hansen, present nursing director, as an influential teacher, and as the catalyst who held the nursing program together through those formative years, to her continued show of respect for others. dwells on positive never a derogatory word. doesn’t have to dig very deep in her memory bank ‘“‘T have been in groups where negative things have been said about someone, and without exception Ruth comes up with something WSC. positive,” she said, claiming that at no time in “Ruth was just a very warm and gentle person,” Gerry said, recalling their first encounter when she was an entering freshman and the nursing program was also just beginning to make its way at WSC. their long association has she ever heard Ruth say a derogatory word about anyone -- “even though she sometimes should have,” Gerry laughed. _ Her concern for all of us students, her patience, kindness, and her excellent example, were a great influence, Gerry said, ‘“‘but the most important thing about my relationship with Ruth began after Weber State’s new two-year program, she recalls, stating that nursing had traditionally been a three-year curriculum. | ' Some of the doctors and nurses called us “Weber’s Purple Wonders,”’ and were sure we couldn’t qualify for the registered nurses license in just two years, she explained. Ruth had faith in us and faith in the program Gerry added. “‘It has taken time for the program to prove itself, but it is now one of the largest associate degree nursing programs in the U.S.” “Ruth set up the program and the standards,” she said. ‘‘It was her personality and her way of interacting with people that really helped overcome the hostility. She didn’t get angry or openly fight back,’’ Gerry continued. “She is non-threatening and yet she can hold standards,” she said. ‘‘Ruth always focuses on the positive.” She started WSC nursing in 1952 with about 25 students and three other faculty members. Now WSC has the role to direct all associate degree nursing in the state, with 53 faculty members and approximately 500 students spread from one end of the state to the other. In the position Ruth Swenson first held, Dr. Hansen directs nursing at Utah State University, to withdraw fond thoughts of Ruth and the influence she has been on her life and on the growth of the associate degree nursing program at In those days there was a lot of hostility toward Ruth retired from WSC in 1969, after devoting 17 years to the students and the nursing program. pie wma : = ails of Utah’ my graduation from Weber State.” “T had just earned my B.S. from University of Utah, and Ruth asked me if I would teach in the nursing program at WSC,” she said. Gerry said at first she was excited but the more she thought about it the less sure she was of her ability to do a good job. _.. if she thinks | can do it, | should give it a try! “Ruth gave me a lot of positive stroking,” she remembers, ‘‘and I thought if she thinks I can do— it, I should give it a try.’’ Dr. Hansen said that not only did Ruth change her self image but Utah Technical College in Salt Lake, a combined program at Southern Utah State College and . Dixie, as well as at WSC. When asked if Ruth’s example has influenced her relationship with students, she replied “Of course! I feel if you are treated one way, you are more apt to treat others that way. . .’”’ and so the chain of influence goes on. . .and on... and on... Weber State College Comment (USPS 791-360) Editor: Carol O. Hinckley Art by Lana Hubbard COMMENT is mailed to alumni, faculty, staff, the business community and friends of the college at no charge. POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 to Alumni Relations-1011, WSC, Ogden, UT 84408 Second-class postage paid at Ogden, Utah published four times a year in October, January, April and June by the Department of College Relations, 316 Administration Building, Ogden, UT 84408. Se . College | photo by Jeanule Young. also her life.. Page 5