History
There was a vision over 100 years ago to establish for nurses a training school that would be recognized as one of the best in the nation. Mennonite Sanitarium Training School was founded on January 23, 1919. The first commencement took place in 1922 with 15 graduates.
For the next 66 years, Mennonite School of Nursing provided diplomas to graduates of the program. In 1982, William Dunn, Chairman of the Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing Board of Directors, announced the establishment of Mennonite College of Nursing, and in 1985 the last graduation ceremony for diploma students was held and the first degrees from Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) were awarded. In 1995, the Master of Science in Nursing Program was approved.
MCN became Illinois State University's sixth academic college on July 1, 1999. During the past 16 years, the college has increased its undergraduate enrollment, added two sequences to the Master's Program and created a Doctoral Program that includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing and an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), as well as an accelerated BSN option.In 2011, the state-of-art Nursing simulation lab was opened. The 10,000 square-foot facility provides student with real-life situation using high-fidelity patient simulators.
Founded in a rich tradition of nursing education as a former private college, Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing has maintained important traditions while transforming into an innovative, future-oriented program.
MCN Historical Highlights
2018
MCN received a $2.8 million grant from Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) to launch the Change Agents to the Underserved: Service Education (CAUSE) project. (July)
MCN was named a new strategic partner by the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC). (March)
Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing ranked as one of the Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report and for the first time the Doctor of Nursing Practice was also ranked. (March)
Illinois State University's online nursing program (Nursing Systems Administration) is ranked as one of the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs according to U.S. News & World Report for the fourth year, and the online RN to BSN program was also ranked for the second year as one of the Best Online Bachelor's Program. (January)
2017
MCN earns 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). (December)
MCN launches Nursing Leadership Academy for senior students. (November)
MCN's America's Promise School Project received an AACN Awards for Innovation in Nursing Education. (September)
MCN received a $1.4 million Advance Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant from the Bureau of Health Workforce in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to focus on rural and underserved populations. (July)
MCN received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support developing diversity in the nursing workforce. (June)
Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing ranked as one of the Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report. (March)
Illinois State University's online nursing program (Nursing Systems Administration) is ranked as one of the Best Online Nursing Programs according to U.S. News & World Report for the third year. Also ranked was the online RN to BSN program. (February)
A course offered in the Nursing Systems Administration program received the certification of "high quality" from Quality Matters. (January)
2016
MCN launches first Crowdfunding Campaign - Get Pumped for Nursing (November)
Received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for its DNP Program effective November 9, 2015, through December 2021. (June)
Wendy Mann Woith appointed Advocate BroMenn Endowed Professor. (May)
Illinois State University's online nursing program (Nursing Systems Administration) is ranked as one of the Best Online Nursing Programs according to U.S. News & World Report for the second year. (February)
Dr. Judy Neubrander appointed Dean. (February)
2015
MCN graduates its first DNP students. (December)
Provost Krejci appointed H. Catherine Miller as interim dean (March)
Illinois State University President Larry Dietz named Janet Krejci vice president for Academic Affairs and provost (March)
Illinois State University's online nursing program is ranked as one of the Best Online Nursing Programs according to U.S. News & World Report (January)
2014
MCN is the recipient of a federal Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship grant of nearly $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the education of nurse practitioners
Steve Stapleton of the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University will be inducted into the Academy of Emergency Nursing of the Emergency Nurses Association
Wendy Mann Woith, an associate professor in the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University, has been selected by the American Academy of Nursing to join the newest class of fellows
H. Catherine Miller appointed acting dean of Mennonite College of Nursing as of July 1
Janet Krejci, dean of the Mennonite College of Nursing, has been named interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Illinois State University, effective July 1
2013
New Online DNP program approved.
The first week-long celebration of nurses: April 23-27.
MCN graduates its first PhD. student.
2012
$700,000, two-year nurse practitioner grant received from state of Illinois.
$1.1 million, three-year Nursing Workforce Diversity grant received from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to help with recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups to the nursing profession. MCN establishes PROUD.
2011
MCN Nursing Simulation Lab opens.
America's Promise grant program started.
2010
Shelly Malin was appointed as the Advocate BroMenn Endowed Professor.
Strategy and Planning Council developed.
2009
Dr. Janet Wessel Krejci appointed Dean.
90/10 Anniversary Celebration - 90 years of nursing education and 10 years at Illinois State University.
Graduates of MCN achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.
2008
New PhD in Nursing Program approved.
2007
New option in the Undergraduate Program - Accelerated BSN - students begin classes in January.
New master's sequence in the Graduate Program - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).
First nursing student to receive Bone Scholarship.
Dr. Sara L. Campbell appointed Interim Dean.
Granted re-accreditation of the baccalaureate and master's degree programs in nursing for the maximum term of 10 years from CCNE.
New master's sequence in the Graduate Program - Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP).
First cohort of Accelerated BSN students graduate in December.
2005
Received HRSA grant to implement a Collaborative Doctoral Program with the University of Iowa College of Nursing.
First Endowed Professorship at Illinois State was installed to Sandra Burke as the BroMenn Endowed Clinical Assistant Professor.
2004
Celebrated 85/5 Anniversary - 85 years of nursing education and 5 years at Illinois State University.
2003
First National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded grant was approved for Dr. Caroline Mallory's HIV project.
2002
Received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for its baccalaureate and master's programs for five years.
1999
Mennonite College of Nursing became Illinois State University's sixth academic college on July 1, 1999.
Dr. Nancy Ridenour appointed Dean.
1995
Master of Science in Nursing Program approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
1993
10/75 Celebration - 10 years of offering the baccalaureate program and 75 years of nursing education.
1992
First Candlelighting Ceremony.
1987
First independent College of Nursing in the nation to be accredited by the National League for Nursing.
1985
Last graduation ceremony for diploma students, and first class to graduate with a degree from Mennonite College of Nursing.
Inauguration of The Flame publication (replaced Nursing Notes).
1983
First baccalaureate class enrolled at MCN.
1982
The Chairman of the Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing Board of Directors, William E. Dunn, publicly announced the establishment of Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN).
1972
Summer Service Program (currently called Transcultural Experience) was started.
1963
First male student graduates from Mennonite School of Nursing.
1946
Dedication of Troyer Memorial Nurses' Home - in honor of Emanuel Troyer, President of the Board of Directors since origin of Mennonite Sanitarium Association, who passed away on June 11, 1942.
1944
Nursing students participate in Cadet Nursing Corps.
1939
Mennonite Sanitarium Training School was changed to Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing.
1922
First class graduates from Mennonite Sanitarium Training School.
1919
Mennonite Sanitarium Association incorporated.