Homage to Nursing Director Gwendoline MacDonald
The College of Nursing pays homage to Gwendoline R. MacDonald, EdD, RN, who transitioned from this life peacefully on Thursday, May 10, 2012. Dr. MacDonald was an educational leader, passionate about implementing new modes of learning and raising educational standards.
Dr. MacDonald was the second director of the School of Nursing at Michigan State University from 1965 through 1971.
During her tenure at Michigan State University, faculty and student numbers increased. New teaching modalities were implemented through funds provided through a $440,000 grant from the United States Public Health Service. This grant provided for the development of alternative teaching/learning techniques that included independent multimedia experiences that focused on psychomotor skill development for students in the first sequence of nursing courses.
A new curriculum for registered nurses returning for a baccalaureate degree was also implemented.
“The loss of an educational nursing leader such as Gwendoline MacDonald causes us to reflect upon her impact to MSU and the nursing profession,” said Dean Mary Mundt. “Her historical role in the College of Nursing includes progression that resulted in programmatic growth, an increase in undergraduate enrollment, and an increase in faculty to support her educational vision.”
After leaving MSU, Dr. MacDonald maintained a keen interest in the MSU College of Nursing and was delighted to see the growth of the College and especially the new Bott Building for Nursing Education and Research. In 2006, she established the Gwendoline R. MacDonald Endowed Nursing Leadership Fund to provide support to college faculty and programs with the goal to build the foundation for technological advances by investigating fundamental questions in nursing science.
Dr. MacDonald earned her diploma in nursing at the Monmouth Memorial Hospital in Monmouth County, New Jersey; a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York; and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Columbia University, New York, New York. Her clinical experience included service in the Army Nurse Corps in World War II.
She left Michigan State University to assume the post of the Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Miami in 1971 and became the first Dean of Nursing at the University of South Florida in 1973. During retirement, she lived in Tampa Florida.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made either to the Gwendoline R. MacDonald Endowed Nursing Leadership Fund or the College of Nursing 60th Anniversary Heritage Scholarship Fund. Mail to: Michigan State University, College of Nursing, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 1355 Bogue St., Room #A213, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824.
Dr. MacDonald was the second director of the School of Nursing at Michigan State University from 1965 through 1971.
During her tenure at Michigan State University, faculty and student numbers increased. New teaching modalities were implemented through funds provided through a $440,000 grant from the United States Public Health Service. This grant provided for the development of alternative teaching/learning techniques that included independent multimedia experiences that focused on psychomotor skill development for students in the first sequence of nursing courses.
A new curriculum for registered nurses returning for a baccalaureate degree was also implemented.
“The loss of an educational nursing leader such as Gwendoline MacDonald causes us to reflect upon her impact to MSU and the nursing profession,” said Dean Mary Mundt. “Her historical role in the College of Nursing includes progression that resulted in programmatic growth, an increase in undergraduate enrollment, and an increase in faculty to support her educational vision.”
After leaving MSU, Dr. MacDonald maintained a keen interest in the MSU College of Nursing and was delighted to see the growth of the College and especially the new Bott Building for Nursing Education and Research. In 2006, she established the Gwendoline R. MacDonald Endowed Nursing Leadership Fund to provide support to college faculty and programs with the goal to build the foundation for technological advances by investigating fundamental questions in nursing science.
Dr. MacDonald earned her diploma in nursing at the Monmouth Memorial Hospital in Monmouth County, New Jersey; a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York; and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Columbia University, New York, New York. Her clinical experience included service in the Army Nurse Corps in World War II.
She left Michigan State University to assume the post of the Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Miami in 1971 and became the first Dean of Nursing at the University of South Florida in 1973. During retirement, she lived in Tampa Florida.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made either to the Gwendoline R. MacDonald Endowed Nursing Leadership Fund or the College of Nursing 60th Anniversary Heritage Scholarship Fund. Mail to: Michigan State University, College of Nursing, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 1355 Bogue St., Room #A213, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824.
