Cutting the Ribbon and Opening the Door

Celebrations mark opening of new School of Nursing and Student Community Center

A ribbon cutting June 4 and a dedication ceremony June 5 celebrated the opening of the new School of Nursing and Student Community Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Snip go the scissors as the burnt orange ribbon is cut at the School of
Nursing and Student Community Center building at 6901 Bertner Ave.
Taking part, from left, are: Nancy McNiel, Ph.D., former associate dean
for management, School of Nursing; Margaret “Peggy” Barnett, former
chair of the Development Board; Student InterCouncil President
Manuel Reyes, a Medical School student; School of Nursing Dean
Patricia L. Starck, D.S.N.; The University of Texas Health Science
Center at Houston President James T. Willerson, M.D.; student
representative Stephanie Meyers, who is pursuing a doctor of science
in nursing degree; Bob Cizik, leader of school’s capital campaign; and
alumni representative Sheryl Guidry.

Photo by Ground Zero Photojournalism

Burnt Orange Ribbon

Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D., and Patricia L. Stark, D.S.N., dean of the UT School of Nursing at Houston, led representatives of the health science center’s Development Board and Student InterCouncil and representatives of the nursing school’s students and alumni in cutting the burnt orange ribbon at the Friday afternoon ceremony.

Marking the historic occasion were nearly 200 invited guests, including faculty and staff of the School of Nursing, as well as other building occupants and representatives of the firms who collaborated in the planning, design and construction of the building. Following the brief outdoor ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed an indoor reception and preview tours of the building.

“There is no nursing school in this country as nice as this one, as beautiful, as functional as this is,” Starck said.

UT Health Science Center President James
T. Willerson, M.D., pauses with Margaret
Alkek, center, and Margaret Alkek Williams.
One of the building’s lead donors was the
Margaret and Albert B. Alkek Foundation,
for whom the building’s 200-seat main
auditorium is named.

Photo by Katy Anderson

The eight-story, $57 million facility is the first purpose-built home for the UT School of Nursing in its 32-year history and the first with designated space for students from all six schools of the health science center. Students approved increases in student fees that not only helped to pay for a portion of the building, but also provided leverage in the acquisition of revenue financing bonds for construction.

Salute to Donors

The Saturday evening dedication also served as a salute to donors whose $10 million in private philanthropy helped to pay for the building. Welcoming about 150 guests and special friends, Willerson said, “This is a real jewel – a beautiful and spacious building that matches the caliber of our nationally ranked School of Nursing.”

He noted that this is the first completed project out of four more buildings planned or underway as the health science center enhances its physical campus to improve and expand its mission of education, research and patient care.

Standing at the edge of the donor wall,
Dean Patricia L. Starck, D.S.N., right,
presents a hard-hat portrait to Nancy McNiel,
Ph.D., former associate dean for
management at the nursing school and
now director of administration at the UT
Medical School at Houston. “We had a very
special partner throughout this whole
process,” Starck said. “Nancy took on the role
of being the liaison with this building. She
discovered that she loved building buildings,
so when it was finished, she decided to go to
where the next building was going up. We are
very grateful to Nancy, who knows that she’s
always welcome in this building.” Photo by
Ground Zero Photojournalism

Mayor Bill White expressed pride that Houston educates so many nurses needed throughout the state. “This new nursing building is not only a landmark for UT, but a special place for Houston,” he said. “Here is a world-class building that uses best practices to show what a public building can and should be.”

A high point of Saturday evening was the ceremonial unveiling of a handsome “donor wall.” Bob Cizik, chairman of the capital campaign completed in 2001, and Margaret “Peggy” Barnett, who was head of the UT Health Science Center Development Board during the campaign, together removed a drapery from a series of curved, brushed aluminum bands bearing the names of nearly 70 top donors. The engraved plaques extend in a wave-like design approximately 19 feet wide by 4.5 feet high across the red, antique brick wall in the spacious lobby.

Each of the recognized donors gave more than $5,000 to the fundraising campaign. Lead partner Houston Endowment Inc. contributed $3.6 million. Other lead donors include: the Cullen Trust for Health Care, the Margaret and Albert B. Alkek Foundation (for whom the building’s 200-seat main auditorium is named), the M. D. Anderson Foundation, Shell Oil Company, the Vivian L. Smith Foundation, the Margaret and James A. Elkins Jr. Foundation, the Cullen Trust for Higher Education, and the PARTNERS community support organization.

UT System Regent Charles Miller officially accepted and dedicated the new building. “Much change and many great things are taking place on this campus – and much is expected of the occupants of this fine new building,” he said.

School of Nursing Dean Patricia L. Starck,
D.S.N., left, visits with Ann Ahuero,
chairman of PARTNERS community
support group, and her husband, Dan.

Photo by Katy Anderson

Starck shared her excitement with her guests. “We are right on the cusp of some wonderful things and a bright future,” she said. “This building’s environment is so inspirational that it will bring a new energy to our nursing school.”

With more than 600 students currently enrolled, the School of Nursing graduates more than 120 new nurses and more than 110 nurses with graduate degrees each year. Students, staff and faculty expect to move into the new building in August.

Following the dedication, volunteer docents led tours of the 195,000-squarefoot, environmentally friendly building.

For additional photographs click here.