Colrel Nursing Fund
Three faculty members offered sustained and e leadership in the development of the Goshen College Department of Nursing. Orpah B. Mosemann, 1950—71; Verna Zimmerman, 1951—75; and Anna Mae Charles Fretz, 1952—75 together gave 69 years of Nursing service to Goshen College providing leadership in Nursing education in the Mennonite Church, in the state of Indiana and in the world. The nursing school at Goshen College was the first baccalaureate nursing program offered in a Mennonite college as well as the first in the state of Indiana. Orpah Mosemann served as education
consultant to the school of Nursing in India in a Mission Board assignment. Verna Zimmerman was a missionary nurse in China and visited health care projects abroad under the auspices of MCC.
The first class with eight students graduated in 1953. In 1965 the RN Advanced Placement program was added to the Nursing program. Goshen College nursing alumni now number 1189 basic graduates and 132 graduates from the RN Advanced Placement track.
Orpah B. Mosemann was director for 21 years beginning with the inception of the school in 1950. Verna Zimmerman came in 1951 and held administrative positions as assistant director, acting director and interim director for various periods of time, in addition to her leadership in teaching nursing management and Nursing research. Anna Mae Charles Fretz, who joined the faculty in 1952, was recognized for her expertise in medical—surgical Nursing and clinical teaching.
Throughout their years of service they promoted the importance of continuing faculty development and need for students and faculty to learn from recognized leaders in nursing and health care. They were involved in clinical update courses, post—graduate studies, professional meetings, Mennonite and other health care organizations. In addition to strengthening the faculty through off—campus activities, they brought leaders to campus so that students could directly learn from other experts, such as the Assistant Surgeon General of the United States, missionary nurses, chaplains, and nationally known nurse educators.