St. Joseph’s School of Nursing 100th Anniversary!
Today is the annual St. Joseph’s School of Nursing Alumni Luncheon, however this year is one to celebrate. Today marks the 100th anniversary for the first graduates of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. This milestone event will be celebrated by graduates of St. Joe’s coming from all over the world including England, Australia, California and Florida, as well as every Canadian province with the exception of Quebec and Manitoba from the classes of 1945 to 1978, and even graduates from 1937 and 1942!
In 1974 all hospital based nursing programs were moved to community colleges, therefore graduates from 1974-1978 received their diploma from both the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing and Mohawk College. St. Joe’s School of Nursing is proud to be the only remaining alumni association of all the hospital-based schools of nursing across the province, and the only one to host an annual reunion for all graduating classes.
Registered nurse, Leona Johnson Hudecki, who passed away in 2012, recalled her graduation in 1941: "Our brothers and boyfriends were off to war. Our class had been looking forward to the usual march-in music played, Pomp and Circumstance. Instead, There'll Always be an England was played because by that time we were conscious of the horror of war." Furthermore, in 1944 the Sisters of St. Joseph’s responded to the great demand of nurses oversees by acceptance of three classes rather than two.
To celebrate 100 years, over 400 St. Joe’s School of Nursing Alumni will gather at the Michelangelo Banquet Centre for Mass and lunch to reunite. The Alumni Association has published a Memory Book which will be presented at the luncheon that chronicles the history of the hospital, the school of nursing, and the alumni from 1650 to the present.
For more information on the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing Alumni Association, click here: http://www.sjsnaa.com/
Photos from today's event
Quotes from Alumnae Members regarding the event:
"What a wonderful and heartwarming Reunion. From beginning to end it was four star"
"You have to be proud of all of your Executive who put on a 100th celebration worthy of the Alumnae past and present."
"At the end of the day, I kept reflecting on the support, guidance and kindness shown to me by members of your Association over the years."
"I am proud to be a member of St. Joseph's Hospital Alumnae and I will continue my membership for many more years -God willing."