Dr. Geraldine Hansen has been on the fuulty 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. She is a member of National League for Vursing and American Nurses Assn. and bas numerous presentations and Photo by Jeannie Young publications to her credit. AS. Weber State College BS. University of Utah WA. Brigham Young University iD. Brigham Young University and 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 influence Ruth held for 18 years. Gerry recalls the national her direction the program gained to Weber in 1953 to pioneer Associate Degree Nursing in Utah. Under nursing in the state. Ruth served as consultant degree associate for role leadership the in WSC placed and recognition to many colleges throughout the country. e with z Gerry Hansen remembers... — formative years, to her continued show of respect llege Ruth Swenson, WSC’s first director of nursing, spread her tender loving care past the sick bed, the ne I into the classroom and beyond. ot 3eers, uld ohn how to me. 30me era, shops ures now, I \d. lit les — ——— as the never a derogatory word. 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. In those days there was a lot of hostility toward Weber State’s new two-year program, she recalls, 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, Some of the doctors and nurses called us “Weber’s Purple Wonders,” and were sure we eouldn’t qualify for the registered nurses license in just two years, she explained. did — dwells on positive “T have been in groups where negative things have been said about someone, and without exception Ruth comes up with something three-year curriculum. sort of for others. Dr. Gerry Hansen, present nursing director, doesn’t have to dig very deep in her memory bank 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 stating that nursing had traditionally been a rou nore e and ull Dr. Hansen attributes Ruth Swenson’s success as an influential teacher, and as the catalyst who held the nursing program together through those 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.”’ Ruth retired from WSC in 1969, after devoting 17 years to the students and the nursing program. 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, kindness, and her excellent example, were a great 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... andon... influence, Gerry said, ‘“‘but the most important thing about my relationship with Ruth began after 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 I can do if, | should give it a try! 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 ‘Ruth gave me a lot of positive stroking,” she remembers, ‘‘and I thought if she thinks I can do published four times a year in October, January, Apri! and June by the Department of College Relations, 316 Administration Building, Ogden, UT 84408. it, I should give it a try.”” Dr. Hansen said that not only did Ruth change her self image but also her life. Page 5