Jefferson College of Health Sciences will present Carilion Clinic President and CEO Nancy Howell Agee with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the institution’s Winter Commencement Ceremony on Friday, December 11, 2015, beginning at 10 a.m. at in the Special Events Center at the Berglund Center.
Only one other individual has been given an honorary doctorate by Jefferson College in the history of the school—Mr. William Reid, who served as administrator of the Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley School of Nursing when it was founded in 1965 with 50 students. Mr. Reid is credited as the founder of the modern iteration of the College.
Over time, the Community Hospital of the Roanoke Valley evolved first into the Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley College of Health Sciences in 1982, and then Jefferson College of Health Sciences in 2003.
Growth at the College has been exceptional in the years since its founding, with approximately 200 students enrolled in a handful of Associate degrees programs in 1988 to over 1,100 students from 31 states today in 25 programs on the graduate, baccalaureate, associate and certificate levels.
In 2015, the college announced the addition of two doctoral degrees in Nursing Practice and Health Sciences. For the first time in the history of the college, it was possible for your higher education journey to begin with a certificate on the Jefferson College campus and end with a terminal degree.
A college press release noted that, “Through all of this explosive growth, expansion of academic offerings and national recognition, Ms. Nancy Howell Agee has been an exceptional supporter of Jefferson College of Health Sciences. It is with her leadership and vision that the College has been able to become what it is today. She has been a vocal advocate for the way in which Jefferson College educates the healthcare professionals of tomorrow and has been vital to ensuring students receive exceptional educational and clinical opportunities throughout Carilion Clinic.”
More information about the 2015 Winter Commencement ceremony is available on the Jefferson College website at http://www.jchs.edu/commencement-jefferson-college-health-
