Dr. Shirley Willihnganz and Dr. Larry Cook are pleased to announce the appointment of Cynthia McCurren, Ph.D., R.N. as interim dean of the School of Nursing, effective August 15, 2006, replacing Dr. Mary Mundt, who has resigned after nine years as dean to take the position of Dean of the College of Nursing at Michigan State University.

During Dean Mundt’s tenure, the School of Nursing received full accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, significantly increased extramural research funding and philanthropic support, launched the Ph.D. degree in Nursing, created the Center for Cancer Nursing Education and Research and partnered both internally and externally to serve the Louisville community.

Dr. McCurren began her career at UofL in 1983 as Instructor in Nursing with an M.S.N. and was later appointed Assistant Professor. In 1987, she resigned to complete her doctorate. In 1991, she returned to UofL as Assistant Professor with a Ph.D. Dr. McCurren was promoted to Associate Professor in 1995 and has served as associate dean for academic affairs since 2000.

A search committee to fill the dean position on a permanent basis will be appointed soon.