1869 

Omaha Good Samaritan Hospital Founded (Forerunner of Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital)

1888 

The School of Nursing opens at Child's Hospital (Predecessor to Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital). It was the first School of Nursing in the State of Nebraska.

1890 

First Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Class graduates (2 graduates).

1902 

A three-year course of study for nurses training adopted for students.

1910 

The first permanent student record keeping system is introduced and the Alumni Association is formed.

1911 

Six Clarkson School of Nursing graduates take the first Nebraska registration examination and receive licenses, numbered two through seven.

1917 

Clarkson School of Nursing Graduates make up half of the first 10 Nebraska Red Cross Nurses sent to France in World War I.

1920 

Clarkson School of Nursing forms its first affiliation with the Visiting Nurses Association.

1927 

Clarkson School of Nursing adopts the National League for Nursing Education (NLNE) curriculum.

1931 

Clarkson School of Nursing affiliates with University Hospital to provide additional obstetric and pediatric training required by NLNE and affiliates with Omaha South High School to provide psychology education to students through funding provided by the Smith-Huges Act.

1936 

Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital purchases Lord Lister Hospital in order to provide more space for student housing and to be located closer to the University Hospital.

1937 

Student nurses organize a formal Student Council.

1942 

Clarkson students are encouraged to join the Cadet Corps during World War II, and thirty-one students enrolled as Clarkson's first Cadet Corps Nurses.

1943 

Students move to a third Nurses' Home to house the Cadet Corps; and a new student tradition, the crowing of "Miss Clarkson," begins.

1953 

Clarkson Hospital moves to 42^nd and Dewey Streets before closing in 1955.

1958 

After closing in 1955, planning begins on the development of a new nursing school to accommodate 152 students, making it the State's largest at that time.

1960 

The Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing reopens its doors due in part to its first large scholarship bequest of $30,000 from the estate of Genevieve Armstrong; a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kiewit; and the determination of Robert H. Storz to seek federal funding for the project. College becomes a candidate for North Central Association Accreditation.

1966 

Several Clarkson nursing graduates travel to Vietnam on an 11-month tour.

1969 

The School of Nursing admits it first male student.

1981 

Clarkson receives approval from the Nebraska Coordinating Commission to grant a baccalaureate degree.

1982 

The School of Nursing becomes Bishop Clarkson College and, receives National League for Nursing Accreditation for its Diploma Program and is granted candidacy status from the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association (NCA) for initial accreditation for two years.

1984 

The College receives initial NCA accreditation for five years.

1986 

An advanced placement program in nursing and the formal Directed Students Program (later Distance Education) begins. Advanced placement program in nursing begins. Division of Continuing Education is instituted.

1987 

Bishop Clarkson College establishes its first Board of Directors separate from the Hospital Board of Directors. Dr. Patricia Perry (1945 alumni and former Director of the Nursing program) is named the first President of Bishop Clarkson College.

1988 

The NLN grants accreditation for the baccalaureate nursing program.

1989 

The College receives an extended 10-year accreditation from NCA.

1990 

Dr. Fay Bower becomes the second President of Bishop Clarkson College.

1991 

The NCA approves the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Master of Science in Health Services Management degree programs and an Associate of Science degree program in Radiography (RT) begins.

1992 

Bishop Clarkson College changes its name to Clarkson College and moves to its current facility at 42^nd and Dodge Streets.  MSN degree begins.  Master of Science in Health Services Management begins. The facility is "wired-for-the-future" with complete networking for computer facilities and audio and video technologies in every classroom. An "energized" skills laboratory with state-of-the-art x-ray equipment is constructed for the RT program.

1993 

The College offers General Education courses that are experientially based and contain community service components. An Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with an emphasis in health care, and a Business minor are established. The RT program receives professional accreditation. Bachelor of Science in Health Related Business program begins. Minor in Health Related Business program begins.

1995 

The MSN program is granted accreditation from the NLN and an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) begins.

1996 

The PTA and OTA programs receive professional accreditation; renovation of the College annex provides space for new skills labs for these programs; and Clarkson College unveils a homepage on the World Wide Web. Nine-hour core curriculum is developed and required of all students. Business minors are offered to the nursing students. Student Fellows group forms currently known as the Student Government Association.

1997 

Dr. J. W. Upright is appointed the third President of Clarkson College. Mission, Vision and Values are developed along with six College goals. Accreditation continues for 10 years from the NCA Higher Learning Commission.

1998 

Clarkson College develops a partnership with Grace University to offer a dual degree program; the College is recognized as a recipient of the John Templeton Foundation's Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges; and online Internet classes for Distance Education are introduced. Omicron Epsilon Chapter fully charted by Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honorary Society. Academic Travel Abroad program (ATA) begins.

1999 

The first multi-media classroom is completed. Seven-semester schedule is defined. A tuition reduction program was initiated with the Nebraska Health System (now The Nebraska Medical Center). First ATA trip to Ireland.  

2000 

Articulation agreements are signed with four community colleges. A three-year option is implemented for RT and Medical Imaging bachelor degree. Associate's degree in Health Information Management (HIM) begins. Clarkson College becomes an approved American Heart Association Training Center. RN to BSN and PN to BSN programs are formed.  

2001 

A new "Fast Track" baccalaureate nursing program is designed. Microsoft Office 2000 is implemented. Gateway to Success Minority Nursing scholarship is initiated. Award-winning "Is It You?" marketing campaign is launched.  

2002 

eCollege course management system is implemented for the online campus. A community service and service-learning program is developed. Student mentoring program is designed. Plans develop for a new student center and residence hall. Website re-develop and launch. Nurse Aide program is approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and first course is offered. BSN Fast Track program begins in summer 2002.

2003 

Groundbreaking for the new building project. Bachelor of Science in HIM begins.  Bachelor of Science in Health Care Business Management begins. Master's degree in Health Care Business Leadership begins. Non-credit and continuing education programs formalized into Office of Professional Development. Lambda Nu honor society inducted its first members at Clarkson College.

2004 

New Kayla and Robert Howard Hall and apartment-style residence hall are completed and dedicated. Online library reference search service for online students is established. Practical Nursing (PN) program is implemented; institutional Effectiveness Committee is established. College is granted full approval as a provider of nursing continuing education for Iowa for the first time.

2005 

Health Care Business Leadership accelerated master's program is accredited; First Gateway to Success scholarship students graduates. All health care business programs are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The Associate's in HIM is accredited by Council for Advancement of Health Information Management (CAHIM). College is awarded the American Heart Association Outstanding Training Center Award and has received it annually since.

2006 

Clarkson Service League Heritage Garden is dedicated. Campus becomes "wireless" for Internet access. First PN students graduate and 100 percent pass rate is established on Board exams. Center for Stress Management opens. The J. W. Upright Success Center is dedicated. MSN option for Adult Nurse Practitioner is offered. Four Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) certificates and a Bachelor of Science in Informatics are offered. RN to MSN program begins.

2007 

New technologies for Website are incorporated.  Bachelor of Science in Health Care Business program is accredited. Office of Service-Learning and Community Service is established to formalize planning, implementation and evaluation of service to the community. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program is granted fully accredited Association for Clinical Pastoral Education membership for 10 years without notations. In July 2007, the CPE program transitions back to The Nebraska Medical Center. Bachelor's degree in HIM program is accredited by CAHIM.

2008 

Dr. Louis Burgher becomes President. College prepares for continuance of accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission. First floor Student Services office opens in the newly renovated lobby of the main building. Center for Teaching Excellence is established. Professional Development and American Heart Association Life Support Training Center opens in the newly renovated lower level space. The Corporation for National and Community Service names Clarkson College to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth.