Dr. Witt, the dean of nursing at both Auburn University and Auburn University Montgomery is retiring from her double deanship on December 19th. She has served as dean at AUM since 1998 and at AU since 1999. Dr. Witt decided to retire because she still has many things in her life she still wants to do and would like to enjoy them while she can. She states "It's good to leave when you feel people still want you to stay". She will be leaving a lasting impression upon both Auburn campuses. One of her greatest accomplishments during her time as dean was increasing the amount of scholarship funding for the students. When Dr. Witt arrived, Auburn had only three established scholarships, but now they have twelve or thirteen. One of the scholarships is called the Blue Jean Ball Scholarship, which is the largest and most successful fundraiser AU has ever sponsored. Just nine balls over the years have raised $250,000. "Schools are about students", Dr. Witt states.
Dr. Witt has also succeeded in increasing endowments for professors. In addition to those accomplishments, Dr. Witt established state-of-the-art simulation labs on both campuses, all funded through donations. The labs feature mannequins that are so advanced that they are called "human simulators." The reason for this name, is because they simulate all the human functions so that the students can learn to look at vital signs and oxygenation levels before they are brought into clinical settings. The schools can now guarantee that every student will know how to respond to a cardiac arrest all because of their chance of being able to view it with the mannequins. Dr. Witt has also updated the curriculum within the university and has a second brand-new curriculum going online next fall. There is also a joint masters program between the two campuses that was established during her tenure.
Dr. Witt is leaving the school in very good shape. She has increased the number of faculty and created a clinical track that did not exist before her arrival. For the past year Auburn University School of Nursing students were 100% on passing the national exam for the licensing of registered nurses.
Auburn University School of Nursing faculty, staff and students, will surely miss Dr. Witt and thank her for all that she has done.
Auburn University School of Nursing faculty, staff and students, will surely miss Dr. Witt and thank her for all that she has done.
