Founding Dean of UK College of Nursing Passes Away
8/6/2014 – We are sorry to announce that Dr. Marcia Dake, founding dean of the UK College of Nursing, has passed away.
Dr. Dake served in the Army Nurse Corps during WWII and used her GI Bill to complete her master’s and doctoral degrees. She was one of the first ten doctorally prepared nurses in the country and in 1958, at age 35, was the youngest dean to serve at a college of nursing in the U.S.
The first baccalaureate class was admitted in the fall of 1960 and at that time nursing was the only undergraduate program at UK to have a selective admissions process. UK’s BSN Program was one of only two baccalaureate nursing programs in Kentucky; the others were hospital diploma programs. Under Dr. Dake’s leadership the college received full accreditation in 1965 and the master’s program was approved by the Faculty Senate in 1969.
Dr. Dake served as dean until 1971 and leaves a legacy that will forever be remembered not only in the College of Nursing but throughout UK’s Chandler Medical Center, and by pioneering nursing students who withstood a rigorous, yet excellent nursing program.
The photo at right was taken at the college's 40th anniversary celebration. Left to right: Dr. Carolyn Williams, dean 1984-2006 (currently professor at the college); Dr. Marion McKenna, dean 1972-1984; and Dr. Marcia Dake, dean 1958-1971.
