75th Anniversary Timeline
The College of Nursing has an ever-expanding history spanning from 1950 to the present day. The college celebrated 75 years of educating future nurses in 2025.
College Archives
Thanks to generous donations by College of Nursing alumni, faculty and staff, the college hosts a large collection of historical photos and class materials. Additionally, more materials are available for viewing in the University Archives and Historical Collections.
Our History at a Glance
Early Years
Pre-1950
Michigan State College began training nurses at E.W. Sparrow Hospital in 1924. The School of Economics, in collaboration with Sparrow Hospital, initiated a five-year program for students to earn a Bachelor of Science in home economics and a diploma in nursing.
Department of Nursing
1950-1957
The Michigan State College Board of Trustees approved the creation of the Department of Nursing. The department was placed under the Division of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and Arts. The first cohort of the department graduated 10 students in 1954.
School of Nursing
1957-1980
In 1957, the Department of Nursing transitioned to become the School of Nursing. The unit received full accreditation from the National League for Nursing Education in 1957. The school saw exponential growth during this era leading to the 1980s.
College of Nursing
1980-present
The MSU Board of Trustees approved changing the School of Nursing to the College of Nursing in 1980. This transition was not without challenges as the college faced elimination in 1981. The persistence of Spartan Nurses and the support from nurses around the world paid off as the Board elected to keep the college in April 1981.
Looking for something more specific?
Feel free to contact our Alumni Coordinator, Caroline Birney, at birneyca@msu.edu.