SPOKANE, Wash. Hilda Roberts, the first director of the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education (ICNE) and a pioneer of nursing education in Eastern Washington, died recently at the age of 94.Roberts was a major contributor in the establishment of the nation’s first cooperative baccalaureate degree program in nursing education, the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing, comprised of Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth College, and Fort Wright College.
Roberts had a long association with Washington State University, joining the faculty in 1945. She was appointed Director and Chairman of the School of Nursing in 1948, a position she held until 1955. Roberts spent the next decade working with Betty Anderson, then assistant dean, to develop a plan and curriculum for a baccalaureate program in nursing education in Eastern Washington.
In 1969, their hard work came to fruition when the legislature approved the nursing center funds. Washington State University was named the administrative institution, and the program opened its doors on July 1, 1969.
“We are, as a university, extremely proud both of our College of Nursing and of our history of collaboration with our higher education partners in the health sciences. Hilda Roberts’ leadership was instrumental in building both. Her leadership has left a lasting imprint on our university and our hearts go out to her friends and family at the news of her passing,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd.
Roberts participated in numerous national and local nursing associations and boards, contributed to nursing research. In the 1940s, she even invented a medical tray for multiple syringes which was manufactured and used in hospital wards. Upon her retirement after 37 years with the ICNE, an endowment was created in her name to provide scholarships to baccalaureate nursing students at the college.
Contributions may be made in Roberts’ name to the WSU College of Nursing by contacting Karen Malone at malone@wsu.edu or 509-324-7202.
Media contact:
Alli Benjamin, WSU College of Nursing, 509.324.7340, Alli.benjamin@wsu.edu
Alli Benjamin, WSU College of Nursing, 509.324.7340, Alli.benjamin@wsu.edu