The College of Nursing will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend. “A Heritage of Distinction: Transforming Hearts and Minds” is the theme of the conference, recognizing nursing education at the University over the past half-century.

The events scheduled for the weekend are designed to illustrate the value of nursing achievements and goals. It will offer opportunities for both reunions and future visions.

Alumni, colleagues and others will attend a conference, called “Advancing Nursing Scholarship, Education and Leadership: 50 Years of Achievement,” which will be held at the Villanova Conference Center all day today and early Saturday. Mass in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, and later in the evening a black-tie gala will be held in the Villanova Room.

The Alpha Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the College’s honor society, is holding a Sunday brunch that will feature remarks by Dr. Hazel W. Johnson-Brown, former Chief of the Army Nurse Corps and member of the University Board of Trustees.

The University’s College of Nursing officially began in 1953. The college has made history as Pennsylvania’s first Catholic university nursing program, the largest nursing program at a private institution in the state and the only university nursing program under the Order of St. Augustine.

Over the course of five decades, approximately 6,000 students have graduated from the College of Nursing’s BSN and MSN programs.

According the event’s website, “The conference offers an opportunity to rejoice in our successes, problem-solve our challenges and create a path to the future.”

The celebration is sponsored by both the college’s 50th Anniversary Committee and the Continuing Education Program. The fee for all events is $200.