STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Five decades of nursing education and service were celebrated Saturday as Tarleton State University welcomed alumni, students, faculty, staff and university leaders to commemorate the College of Nursing’s 50th anniversary.
The celebration honored the program’s history, recognized the contributions of its graduates and highlighted its continued commitment to advancing nursing education and addressing the state’s evolving healthcare needs.
“For 50 years, Tarleton State nurses have made a life-changing, generational impact on families and communities across Texas and beyond,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “Our connection to rural Texas gives this work special meaning. We understand that where a person lives should never diminish their access to compassionate, quality care. That commitment to service has defined our first 50 years and will continue to guide us for generations to come.”
The university’s nursing legacy dates to its inaugural class of 1976, with 16 students earning their degrees in 1978. By the end of 2027, Tarleton State is projected to have awarded more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees, preparing generations of healthcare professionals to serve patients and communities across Texas and beyond.
Among those recognized during the celebration was Rita Mason, a member of the program’s inaugural class of 1976. Mason received the College of Nursing Legacy Award in recognition of her contributions to the program’s early history.
Mason began nursing school at age 45, pursuing what she described as her dream career. Her involvement extended beyond the classroom, as members of the inaugural class helped establish traditions that remain part of the program’s history, including the creation of its nursing pin and cap.
“Our 1976 graduates helped establish a tradition that continues today,” said Dr. Elizabeth Palmarozzi, Vice President for the Division of Health Sciences and founding dean of the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (Applicant Status – Seeking Accreditation). “They entered the nursing profession with the preparation they received here and a commitment to putting that knowledge into practice.”
The anniversary comes during a period of continued advancement in healthcare education at Tarleton State. Earlier this year, the university elevated its nursing program to the College of Nursing as part of a broader restructuring of the Division of Health Sciences, expanding opportunities for students and strengthening its commitment to healthcare workforce preparation.
Over the past five decades, nursing education at Tarleton State has expanded beyond Stephenville to include programs in Fort Worth and Waco, with multiple pathways for students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The college also has demonstrated continued academic success, earning full approval from the Texas Board of Nursing in January 2025 after graduates achieved a 94.67% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses in 2024. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Tarleton State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
“As we celebrate 50 years of nursing education, we recognize both the responsibility and the opportunity before us,” said Dr. Donalyn Alexander, Dean of the College of Nursing. “Our commitment to preparing exceptional nurses is especially important in rural Texas, where access to quality healthcare can shape the future of entire communities. We are building on a strong foundation while preparing students to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our state.”
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 28,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 127 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real-world learning and address regional, state and national needs.