Dear Colleagues,

I am sending you this note now, as Dean Broome is sending a letter regarding my retirement to external constituents.  After 25 years at Duke, I will retire at the end of June (just having celebrated my 70th birthday!).

My time at Duke has been incredible.  Professionally, it has been the most exciting, challenging and fulfilling time of my life.  I came to the Duke School of Nursing as dean in January of 1991.  We were a very small School then, but we had great potential. 

Personally, as dean, I made many friends who supported our school, worked with talented faculty, staff and colleagues in the Medical Center and University, and engaged with students who enriched my life.  It was a great time – we became more diverse and grew educational programs, research, service and our School!

I ended my nearly 14 year term as dean in 2004, and since then have been the Laurel Chadwick Distinguished Professor in the SON – a faculty role I have cherished.   In the years following 2004, under the leadership of Dean Gilliss and Dean Broome, our School is realizing its full potential as a leader in nursing education, research and service.  My 1991 dreams have come true.  

When I ended my term as dean—I was the grateful recipient of many parties and celebrations – more than deserved.   I loved them all!  Dean Broome has tried to convince me to have a retirement party and I have said no.   I have had more than my fair share of parties and our School needs to continue to recruit the best and brightest students and faculty.  To do this our SON community needs to enhance endowments for student scholarships and distinguished professorships.  So in lieu of any celebration of my retirement, I am asking that the SON and those who are so inclined make a contribution to such funds.    The gifts will help ensure the health of our School in the years to come.   Contact Fran Mauney or she will contact you if you have an interest in giving to the school.

Finally, thanks again to all that I have worked with over the years – we invested in each other and had a wonderful time.  There are so many memories I have -- they are too numerous to mention – but they are in my heart.  Many would have never thought the SON would come back more vibrant than ever, but it has.  Many thanks to all of you who made this happen! 

Best wishes to all, 

Mary