1967

Nursing at the University began in 1967 as an independent department offering an associate degree in nursing. Ms. Peggy Norman was the first program director.

1970

Initial accreditation was granted to the associate degree program in 1970 by the National League for Nursing (NLN) for eight years.

1977

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission approved an RN-BSN program in 1977. The RN-BSN program was created to address the needs of the Memphis health care community.

1978

Reaccreditation was granted to the associate degree program in 1978 by NLN for eight years.

1978

The first RN-BSN students enrolled in the baccalaureate program in 1978, led by Ms. Lois Holloman, chair of the department of Nursing until her retirement in 1979.

1980

Initial accreditation was granted to the RN-BSN and BSN programs in 1980 by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) during Dr. Bonnie Duldt’s tenure as program chair, 1979 -1982.  Additionally, the associate degree program was phased out and transferred to Southwest Tennessee Community College. During the thirteen years of the associate degree program, the University graduated 1,244 associate degree nurses - an average of 95 graduates per year.

1982 

Ms. Joan Dodson led the nursing department from 1982 until 1984.

1984

Following an NLN Board of Review recommendation, the nursing department was granted School status in 1984.

1984

The School’s first Dean, Dr. Norma J. Long, was appointed in 1984 and served until retirement in 1990.

1987

Reaccreditation was granted to the BSN program by NLNAC for eight years.

1988

The Loewenberg family of Memphis endowed the Loewenberg Chair of Excellence in recognition of Mr. William A. and Mrs. Ruth Loewenberg support of Nursing in the community. In recognition of the Loewenberg family’s commitment to Nursing, the School name was changed to the Loewenberg School of Nursing (LSON).

1989

The LSON admitted the first class of upper-division, generic baccalaureate students in 1989.

1990

Dr. Marjorie F. Luttrell served as Interim Dean from 1990 until 1992, following Dr. Long’s retirement.

1992

Dr. Lillian A. “Toni” Bargagliotti led LSON as Dean from 1992 until 2005.

1992

The first class of LSON upper-division, generic baccalaureate students graduated in 1992.

1994

Reaccreditation was granted to the BSN program by NLNAC for eight years.

2002

Reaccreditation was granted to the BSN program by NLNAC for eight years, and initial accreditation from the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) was granted for 10 years.

2003

In June and July respectively, the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) approved the University’s Master of Nursing Science (MSN) program with three concentrations:  Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, and Nursing Education. Initial approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing followed in September.

2005

Dr. Marjorie F. Luttrell was appointed Interim Dean in Fall 2005, and became Dean in June 2006.  Dr. Luttrell led LSON through a tremendous period of enrollment growth until retirement in 2010.

2005

Initial accreditation was granted to the MSN program by CCNE in 2005. As part of the Tennessee Regents Online Degree Program (RODP), LSON also offered an MSN concentration in Nursing Informatics. 

2008

The Executive MSN in Administration (E-MSN) was approved by TBR and enrolled its first cohort of students in Fall 2008.

2010

Reaccreditation was granted to both the BSN and MSN programs by CCNE for 10 years (2010 – 2020).

2010

Dr. Lin Zhan was appointed Dean of LSON in 2010.

2010

The E-MSN celebrated its first cohort of graduates in Summer 2010

2010

The E-MSN program received a $788,000 grant from the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to prepare future nurse executives.

2010

A team of researchers, led by LSON Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Programs Dr. Robert A. Koch, received a $1.4 million grant from the United State Department of Defense to ensure effective interface between civilians and military personnel in the event of a catastrophe.