MU Honors Class of ’47 from Robert Packer Hospital School of Nursing

MANSFIELD, PA— A celebration to honor the 70th anniversary of the graduation of the Robert Packer Hospital (RPH) School of Nursing Class of 1947 was held on June 3 in Sayre, PA.(L-R) Mary Jayne Porter O'Brien, Beryl Boardman Cleary, Donna Jean Nelson Painter, Rita Graham Karski and Jane Storch.The five remaining members of the class; Mary Jayne Porter O’Brien, Beryl Boardman Cleary, Donna Jean Nelson Painter, Rita Graham Karski and Jane Storch Foley were on hand to be honored for their graduation, careers and service to the country.

Members of the Class of ’47 were also members of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, which was established in World War II to ensure the country had enough nurses to care for its citizens at home and abroad. They also cared for and rehabilitated injured soldiers. Many performed the same service during the Korean conflict.MU President Fran Hendricks visits with members of the Class of '47.

Although the relationship between the Mansfield University Department of Health Sciences and Robert Packer Hospital, creating the MU Nursing program, was not established until 1986, MU President Fran Hendricks was on hand for the reunion event to congratulate the Class of ’47. He was accompanied by his wife, Connie, and their daughter, Stephanie.

Hendricks presented a proclamation that read in part, “Whereas the Class of ’47 served the needs of the sick and injured, demonstrating the highest standards of dedication, and representing themselves, Robert Packer Hospital and Mansfield University of Pennsylvania with honor during their nursing careers; Therefore be it resolved on this third day of June 2017, that I hereby express on behalf of the entire Mansfield University community, our sincere appreciation to Robert Packer Hospital Nursing Class of 1947 for their exemplary service, dedication, and numerous contributions to Mansfield University and the nursing profession.”

The event was organized by the RPH School of Nursing Alumni Association.

To learn more about studying Nursing at MU, go to mansfield.edu/nursing/