Troy University’s School of Nursing celebrated 50 years of nursing education on Thursday, Sept. 12, with an open house for students, alumni and friends.

The open house showcased recent renovations and the nursing program’s new childbirth simulation suite.

The School of Nursing was created by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 1969. Troy University immediately began enrolling students in its bachelor of science in nursing program at the Troy Campus and graduated its first class in 1973.

The open house provided an opportunity to tour the School of Nursing’s Collegeview Building and to see the childbirth simulation suite and simulator mom.

“I’m thankful to be part of such an incredible program that takes care of its students, and where the professors work hard to give us excellent educational resources,” said senior Mary Kathryn Gillis. “It really is a state-of-the-art program.”

Today, the School of Nursing offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing along with a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

“The 50th anniversary of our Nursing Program really shows how much we’ve grown and what all we have to offer,” said senior nursing student Madeline Harper.

Current students see the program’s decades of growth continuing in the coming years.

“It is incredible to see that the nursing classes are continuing to grow in size and number. Our program as a whole has grown so much and it’s really cool to see,” said senior Taylor McClain.