USF Nursing Dean Unveils New Addition to College Culture in Special Announcement

The emails simply said “Please Join Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy in the College of Nursing Gathering Space on Tuesday September 25, 2012 at 3:00 pm for a Special Announcement! “ and as the date got closer the buzz increased. “What is it, does anyone know?” was the question being asked.

As announcement time approached, there was a crowd of over 200 expectant faculty, staff and students waiting to hear what Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health, and Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida had to announce.  People were expectant, but began to realize it would be something special when the frozen yogurt cart was opened.  A more festive atmosphere began to emerge, and many began to notice a grey-veiled something on the wall. Something that looked big.

Promptly at 3:00 pm, Dean Morrison-Beedy arrived and proceeded to announce the unveiling of a special project.  A project special for USF nurses. And with that said, off came the grey-veil revealing an amazing original artwork titled The Many Faces of Healing. The stunning piece is a montage of vignettes around the USF College of Nursing Seal depicting students, faculty and practitioners in the many roles they perform in healthcare today.

(The Many Faces of Healing by Nancy Henderson)

“When I first arrived at the USF college of Nursing over two years ago, I stood in the center of the college and looked around me and thought what is here that shows who we are and what we do,” said Dean Morrison-Beedy. “We have a beautiful, state-of-the-art new building, but it could have been anywhere on campus. I realized we had to put the ‘Art’ into state-of-the-art, something that would inspire current students and faculty and something that would be a legacy for everyone at the USF College of Nursing!”

Dean Morrison-Beedy, then introduced artist Nancy Henderson to the audience and explained how we started a relationship with Ms. Henderson two years ago requesting permission to use some of her renderings of historic Tampa and Ybor City. One of her USF inspired pieces (Marshall Student Ctr USF) is in the Dean’s Suite on the third floor. Eventually, Dean and artist began discussing the nursing profession and the different roles in nursing today and, as they say, the rest is history.

(Artist Nancy Henderson, Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy, “Marshall Student Ctr USF” third floor Nursing building)

The crowd showed their appreciation with thunderous applause, and a roaring “GO Bulls!”.

After the unveiling participants were invited to view the artwork and speak with Ms. Henderson.  Information on the artist Nancy Henderson may be found on her website artistnancyhenderson.com. For more event pictures Click Here.