Thursday, October 1, 2026
In an event that was dubbed “A Celebration of Nursing: Our Shared Legacy,” Molloy College officially launched its new doctorate nursing program with students, faculty, administrators, staff and other invited attendees at the Wilbur Arts Building on Oct. 1.
The celebration started in the morning and ended at roughly 4 p.m. During that time, many dignitaries spoke and offered congratulations on the beginning of a new historic chapter in the school’s 56-year legacy.
As part of the day’s program, the college celebrated the 100-year death of the famed English nurse, Florence Nightingale, who was a pioneer in the profession. Gina Kearney, a registered nurse from South Nassau Communities Hospital, was one of the first speakers and she related Nightingale’s practice still influences nurses today.
During the event, a “Nursing through the Decades” fashion show featured nurse attire throughout the last hundred years. Following that, Dr. Mary Chaffee delivered the highlight keynote address in Quealy Hall.
“Today is important,” Chaffee said. “The launching wasn’t easy, so let’s praise, honor, commend, publicize, extol and congratulate Molloy College for it.”
A respected nurse for over 25 years, Chaffee noted that starting the new doctorate program at Molloy was truly difficult, and it took the school more than five years to create it. She offered her own words of thanks and good luck to the college as it embarked on its new journey.
Molloy College President Dr. Drew Bogner offered his own words in honor of the special day. “Today we recognize the significance of nurse education at our institution,” Bogner said. “Nursing can be very trying, and our new program will help shape the profession. It’s a historic day for us and we’re honored to introduce the new doctorate program.”
Detailing the history of its college-nursing program, Dr. Valerie Collins, vice president of Academic Affairs, explained that the Molloy College Nursing Program opened initially in 1956 and closed temporarily a few years later. In 1965, it eventually reopened and since then it has produced thousands of college-educated nurses for the medical field.
