[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11812-11813]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              TRIBUTE TO THE MENNONITE COLLEGE OF NURSING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS W. EWING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 7, 1999

  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mennonite College 
of Nursing in Bloomington, Illinois on the occasion of their 80th year. 
Not only is this an historic marker on the College's time line, but on 
July 1, 1999, this fine institution will combine with Illinois State 
University, ensuring that its fine traditions and quality educational 
programs continue far into the next century.

[[Page 11813]]

  The Mennonite College of Nursing was founded in 1919, as the 
Mennonite Sanitarium Training School, with the purpose of providing a 
Christian ministry though the operation of a hospital and a diploma 
school of nursing. Since its founding, the school has provided cutting 
edge training for its students. In the early 1980's and to meet the 
changes nursing education needed by changing health care delivery 
systems, the Board of Directors decided to transition Mennonite 
Hospital School of Nursing into Mennonite College of Nursing, awarding 
a four-year baccalaureate degree, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
degree.
  The North Central Association awarded Mennonite College of Nursing 
institutional accreditation in 1986. Mennonite College of Nursing made 
nursing history as the first independent upper-division single purpose 
institution of nursing education in the U.S. to receive accreditation 
from the National League for Nursing.
  In 1995, Mennonite implemented the Graduate program, with its first 
educational track for Family Nurse Practitioner. And in 1998, the 
Master of Science in Nursing degree program was awarded initial 
accreditation by the National League of Nursing.
  The mission of the Mennonite College of Nursing is to educate 
beginning and advanced practitioners of nursing to go beyond academia 
and serve the citizens of central Illinois and the world. In keeping 
with the traditions of its roots, this fine institution has placed a 
particular focus on addressing the health care needs of both urban and 
rural populations, including those who are most vulnerable and under 
served.
  In reviewing the work of the College's many graduates, it is clear 
they have been successful in not only teaching the technical skills of 
the nursing profession, but in instilling a whole philosophy of 
ministering to the sick. Unlike other schools, at the core of its 
curriculum, the Mennonite College of Nursing promotes four key values. 
They are: the affirmation of the dignity and worth of all persons; the 
recognition of the wholeness of life; the responsible use of nature; 
and the promotion of a life of peace.
  Mr. Speaker, I am greatly honored to have this fine professional 
school in my district. With 83% of its graduates remaining in Central 
Illinois, I can affirm the fact that the quality of life in our 
communities has benefited greatly the Mennonite College of Nursing.
  Mr. Speaker, the important work of the Mennonite College of Nursing 
needs to be recognized by this Congress, so that the school is forever 
acknowledged before the American people as it becomes the sixth 
academic college of Illinois State University. I am very proud to have 
the Mennonite College of Nursing in the 15th district of Illinois, and 
I ask all of my colleagues to join me in extending our heartfelt 
congratulations to this outstanding institution.

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