Attending the Class of ’61 50th Reunion, from left, Gladys (Ng) Ching; Helene (Kataoka) Shiratori, ’62; Elena (Viloria) Gaborno; Faye (Nagai) Nakamoto; Elaine (Shimada) Ashimine; Carole (Yamada) Fujishige; Mavis (Asari) Kim; Shirley (Lum) Tanigawa; Leatrice (Fujioka) Shikiya; Jane (Tsuda) Yamamoto; and Georgiana Yap

A new University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene tradition recognizes golden scholars in nursing. Each golden anniversary class will be invited to visit the school and be recognized with the new graduating class during December.

The tradition was started by the Class of ’60 and included a tea for alumni and a visit to Webster Hall in October to see the simulation unit in action and hear about how nursing education has evolved.

“Our classmates were impressed by the use of simulation technology to teach nursing today and to give students a safe place to practice their new skills,” says Beverly Kim, ’60.

“Our education gave us the skills and opportunity to live successful lives and have many lifelong friends,” adds classmate Carol Kikkawa Ward. “We wish this to continue for all attendees of the school—to fulfill their dreams and be special contributors to our people for healthy and happy lives.”

The class was recognized on Dec. 16, 2010, and presented the school with its class gift, a contribution toward purchase of the learning equipment that had so impressed them on their visit.

“It is wonderful for our students to see alumni involved and supporting the school 50 years after graduation and, as important, enjoying time together,” says Dean Mary Boland.

The Class of ’61 held its 50th reunion Feb. 4, 2011 and visited the simulation lab, temporarily located at Lēʻahi hospital while Webster facilities are being renovated to create the UH Translational Health Sciences Simulation Center. These alumni studied one summer at Lēʻahi, so the location brought back additional memories.

Their class gift was a scholarship in memory of friend and classmate Amy Ebesu. The annual tea will be held June 3, 2011, and the recognition ceremony will take place in December.

Tags: alumni, In Memory, nursing, School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, UH Alumni Association, UH Manoa, Vol. 36 No. 2