NAU School of Nursing Mission and Values HISTORY, MISSION and GOALS History of the School of Nursing The nursing program was established in 1962 as an organized unit of faculty of the Arizona State College (named in 1945) granting the associate degree in nursing. The associate degree nursing program, under the direction of Ms. Frances Hegglund, received its first full accreditation from Arizona State Board of Nursing in 1963. The Department of Nursing at that time was part of the College of Arts and Science. Ms. Bea Evans continued as the department chair through academic year 1970-1971. In 1966, the Arizona Board of Regents approved the changing of Arizona State College to university status. The name was changed to Northern Arizona University. In 1972, a new center was opened on south campus. A new college, first named the College of Integrated Studies was approved to provide liberal arts programs for the south center. This College was later named the College of Public and Environmental Services. The Department of Nursing was housed in these Colleges under the direction of Dr. Phyllis Adkinson and Dr. Roberta Clegg. In 1973, the baccalaureate faculty of the Department of Nursing came together for the first time and the baccalaureate program was developed. This program was designed as a career ladder program and today is known as the RN to BSN completion program. Under the direction of Dr. Roberta Clegg, a grant was submitted for the construction of a building for nursing education. In 1974, the President of Northern Arizona University received notice that the Federal Government had approved the grant in the amount of $969,332.00 for the construction of a building for nursing education. With matching state funds the total amount available for construction and other costs was $1,356,500.00. In 1974, under the direction of Dr. Roberta Clegg, the Associate Degree in Nursing Program received full accreditation from the National League for Nursing (NLN). At that same time, the baccalaureate program was established and received provisional accreditation from the NLN. In 1975, the baccalaureate program received full accreditation.