[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DR. RUTH WU

                                 ______


                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 1995

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your 
attention the retirement of Dr. Ruth Wu as the Dean of the School of 
Health and Human Services at California State University, Los Angeles. 
Dr. Wu has dedicated her whole career to the education of young people 
in health careers, particularly nursing. She is a person of great 
vision and was able to put in place changes in curriculum and program 
which allowed students to be prepared to meet the needs of a changing 
society.
  An example of her foresight is her dedication and commitment to the 
establishment of the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied Gerontology 
on the campus of Cal State L.A. Her hard work and perseverance in 
promoting the Gerontology Institute among the university faculty and 
administrators resulted in the development of a gerontology program 
which is multidisciplinary in scope and community based in practice.
  Dr. Wu has distinguished herself first in the clinical role as a 
public health nurse in California, New York, and Michigan (1946-57); 
then in the faculty role as a pediatric specialist at Henry Ford 
Community College, Michigan (1958-60), U.C.L.A. (1962-68) and Cal State 
L.A. (1971-95). Dr. Wu was initially appointed as a visiting associate 
professor to the Department of Nursing in 1971.
  Dr. Wu's expertise in curriculum development and her leadership 
skills were quickly recognized and she was appointed interim Department 
Chair 1992-93, and her permanent Department Chair and professor in 
1993-94. Her contributions from that point on are primarily in her 
third area of distinguished service, that of administration. From 1972 
to 1982, Dr. Wu served as the Department Chair of Nursing. During those 
years she offered outstanding leadership in curriculum development, 
developing at that time one of the most forward thinking nursing 
curriculums in the country. Her education partnerships with the 
establishment of the on-site R.N. transfer baccalaureate program 
offered at LAC-USC Medical Center.
  Dr. Wu's contributions to nursing have been recognized both 
nationally and statewide. In 1981, she became a fellow in the American 
Academy of Nursing, a very prestigious position. In 1987, she was 
awarded the Lulu Hassenplug outstanding nurse educator award by the 
California Nurses Association.
  Dr. Wu moved to the school offices in 1982-83, first as the acting 
Associate Dean of the School of Fine and Applied Arts. In 1983-84, she 
served as acting Dean of that school. In 1984-85, Dr. Wu became the 
founding dean of the new school of health and human services, and 
continued in that role until her retirement in 1995.
  The California State University, Los Angeles and its students are 
losing a great educator.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Ruth Wu for a 
most distinguished and memorable career.
  An example of her foresight is her dedication and commitment to the 
establishment of the Edward R. Roybal Institute for Applied Gerontology 
on the campus of Cal State L.A. Her hard work and perseverance.

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