It is with great sadness that I announce the death of our colleague, School of Nursing Professor, Dr. Ellen Carson. Dr. Carson died on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. Dr. Carson joined the nursing faculty in 2003 as Associate Dean and served in that position until 2007.  As Associate Dean, Ellen was very involved in many of the key initiatives that the School of Nursing undertook including the inception of the MSN program at Washburn.  She was a key figure in the political landscape of professional nursing in the State having served as President of the Kansas State Nurses Association from 2005 to 2007.  Ellen was a member of Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing Honor Society), and received numerous awards for her leadership and mentorship.

Since 2007, Dr. Carson has been a full-time Professor in the School of Nursing. Her major accomplishment was the awarding of the Transatlantic Dual Degree TADD grant from the US Department of Education. In addition to her many activities and responsibilities, Ellen continued to teach in the baccalaureate program through the Fall 2010 semester and was well-respected among her students, colleagues, and staff.

Dr. Carson received her BSN from Pittsburg State University, her Masters from the University of Kansas, and her Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. Prior to teaching at the Washburn School of Nursing, Dr. Carson was on faculty at Pittsburg State University. As a professional nurse, Ellen had extensive nursing experience in various hospital and home health care settings.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Marlin, one daughter; Lindsay Young of Wichita; and one son, Grant Carson of Girard. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 21, at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Girard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Kansas State Nurses Association’s /Kansas Nurses Foundation Scholarship/ benefiting Washburn University or Pittsburg State nursing students. Donations and/or condolences can be sent to Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, KS 66743.

– Nancy Tate