Welcome, everyone! It is very exciting to be a part of this inaugural alumni event for the College of Nursing , the first of many. I am looking forward to meeting many former students and friends, and catching up on what has been happening with them and their families. Alumni contact is not only heartwarming to those who "knew them when", it is also a shot in the arm for the nursing programs themselves. Alumni participation and support is crucial to growing programs, not only financially but also to help us spread the word and increase community involvement.

We have a lot to brag about. In Tyler , we have a new building with state of the art equipment and well prepared professional staff. Our undergraduate program has grown to be the third largest in the state, with campuses in Tyler , Palestine and Longview . In the last reporting quarter, UT Tyler's program pass rate was the highest in the state. For the fall semester, our NCLEX pass rate is either 98% or 100%--there is one student we have not heard from yet!

Our graduate program is growing as well, with specialization in education, administration and practice. We have a number of Nurse Practitioner tracks available in partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and plan to add our own Women's Health NP track shortly. The only MSN-MBA program in northeast Texas is housed here at UT Tyler.

In October, 2004, both of the nursing programs had a re-accreditation site visit and were granted full 10 year accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. And, last week we received preliminary approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for a PhD program in Nursing! Whew.

This is possible because of dedicated staff members, faculty, and participating alumni. Finally, I would like to invite each of you to join us as we move forward, not only to be a part of, but to help build nursing's future! Welcome!

- Linda Klotz, Dean