In 2025, Wayne State University’s College of Nursing proudly celebrates its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of dedication to excellence in nursing education, research, practice and service. 

Established in 1945, the college has played a pivotal role in shaping the nursing profession and preparing generations of nurses to lead in health care. 

To commemorate this milestone, a committee of students, faculty and staff is organizing a series of special events and creating commemorative memorabilia to honor the college’s rich history and bright future. 

The anniversary kicked off in February with the unveiling of a state-of-the-art classroom, designed to support the growing undergraduate cohorts since 2015.  

The 80th anniversary will conclude with a grand celebration in December. 

During the celebration, inaugural awards will be presented, including Beyond the Bedside, Outstanding Nurse Researcher, Rising Star Alumni Achievement, Outstanding Nurse Leader and more. 

“This milestone reflects the dedication and commitment of our faculty, staff, students and alumni who have contributed to the College of Nursing’s success over the past 80 years,” said Ramona Benkert, Ph.D., ANP-BC, FAANP, dean of the College of Nursing. “We look forward to celebrating this incredible achievement throughout the year with events that honor our history and look toward the future of nursing.” 

Throughout its history, the College of Nursing has been at the forefront of innovation. It was the first in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that encompassed a comprehensive curriculum, including nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical care, maternity, pediatrics, psychiatry, public health, teaching methodologies and administrative principles. 

In 1947, the college expanded its reach by becoming the first U.S. nursing school to receive Rockefeller Foundation sponsorship for international nursing education.  

Over the decades, it continued to advance the field with milestones such as launching a Master of Science in Nursing program in 1954 and establishing the nation’s first Center for Health Research affiliated with an educational institution in 1969. 

A major milestone in the college’s history came on Nov. 18, 1959, with the opening of the Richard A. Cohn Building as the College of Nursing’s home. Named in honor of the late Detroit publishing magnate, the facility was made possible through a generous gift from the Detroit Hospital Fund and the Richard Cohn Fund in 1956. 

The college’s legacy of innovation continued in 1975 with the establishment of its doctoral program, reinforcing its commitment to advanced education and research.  

In 1989, the State of Michigan Board of Nursing approved the Second Career Second Degree program, which created an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing pathway for individuals with prior degrees, significantly expanding access to the nursing profession. 

The introduction of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in 2008 marked another milestone in advanced nursing education, providing nurses with the highest level of clinical training and leadership preparation. 

In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Wayne State University College of Nursing among the nation’s top programs for both the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), placing it No. 2 in Michigan and reinforcing its reputation as a leader in nursing education. 

Since then, the college's rankings have continued to rise. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked the MSN program No. 32 in the nation, while the DNP program maintained its strong national standing at No. 40. 

Most recently, the college achieved a 100% success rate on the NCLEX exam in 2024, demonstrating its excellence in preparing students for professional nursing practice at the highest level. 

Today, the college remains proud to call the Cohn Building home and has exciting plans to fully revitalize the space in the coming months, ensuring a modern and innovative environment for future nursing leaders. 

Alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors and members of the College of Nursing community are invited to participate in the celebration by sharing memories of their time at Wayne State. 

For more information about the 80th-anniversary celebrations, visit nursing.wayne.edu/80 or contact John Anderson III at john.anderson3@wayne.edu.