Saint Xavier University’s School of Nursing celebrated its 90th anniversary Saturday with a day that honored its proud history and highlighted its growing impact on the health care field.
The celebration began with a commemorative Mass in McDonough Chapel, followed by tours of the School of Nursing and the Simulation and Integrated Learning Center (SILC) in the Warde Academic Center. The evening concluded with cocktails and dinner at Ridge Country Club, where alumni, faculty, students and friends reflected on nearly a century of nursing education.
Charlene Bermele, DNP, RN, CNE, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said the anniversary was both a privilege and a tribute to generations of nurses shaped by Saint Xavier.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to celebrate 90 years of nursing excellence,” Bermele said. “SXU’s School of Nursing boasts a strong reputation for its high-quality, innovative, rigorous nursing curriculum taught to many generations of nurses, especially those who reside on the South Side of Chicago.”
Speaking during the celebration at Ridge Country Club, Bermele also reflected on the personal bonds within the field. “Look around the room — there’s something to be said. The field of nursing builds exemplary bonds and friendships between faculty and staff,” she said. “It’s an honor to be here tonight.”
The program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, has a long history of innovation. In 1935, Saint Xavier launched the first integrated baccalaureate nursing program in Illinois and expanded into graduate education in 1963. Through the decades, the programs have evolved to improve patient outcomes and respond to the increasingly complex demands of health care systems.
In 2021, the university opened its state-of-the-art Simulation and Integrated Learning Center, which offers students an immersive and realistic environment to practice a wide range of clinical scenarios. Today, U.S. News & World Report ranks SXU’s undergraduate nursing program third in Illinois and its graduate program second in the nation.
Bermele noted that enrollment continues to grow, with 200 students currently in nursing classes and the largest-ever class of 190 freshmen nursing majors admitted this fall.
“Our program is highly in demand because of the combination of quality and affordability,” Bermele said. “Compared to other Catholic nursing programs in the area, our tuition is much more accessible, which is a big draw for students right now. The strong reputation of the program paired with the value makes it a clear choice.”
She also reflected on how the curriculum has transformed since 1935, moving from a task-oriented approach to a profession defined by knowledge, autonomy and technological expertise.
“The technological revolution has completely transformed nursing practice by incorporating electronic health records, sophisticated monitoring systems, complex medical devices and digital platform communication,” Bermele said. “As a result, the program has shifted so our students are aligned with practice demands and upon graduation can demonstrate competence with strong knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional behaviors.”
One constant, Bermele added, is the mission that drives the program.
“One thing that has not changed over the 90 years is the continual embracement of the University’s mission, which is dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence and shared, perpetuated Mercy values inspired by the heritage of SXU’s founding Sisters of Mercy,” she said.
The evening celebration also gave alumni and faculty a chance to share personal reflections. Louise Bader, who earned nursing degrees from Saint Xavier in 1969 and 1977, said she had always felt drawn to the profession.
“I always wanted to be a nurse and when I entered the nursing program at Saint Xavier, I knew it was where I was meant to be,” Bader said.
Karen Wood, associate professor of nursing at SXU, said she was inspired by the gathering of so many generations. “It’s great to be here and to be able to connect with everyone — just seeing all of the different generations is really wonderful,” she said.
For Ann Miller, a 1982 graduate, the celebration carried special meaning. “This is a full circle moment,” she said.
The anniversary marked a significant milestone for the university while underscoring the School of Nursing’s continued role in preparing future nurses who bring Saint Xavier’s Mercy tradition to hospitals, clinics and communities around the world.