In the early 1990s, alumni from the University's School of Nursing began urging the new Dean, Sandra Edwardson, to "do something to honor KJ." Many of these alumni had been students of Katharine Densford, while others had been colleagues. Feeling that her legacy needed to be preserved and honored, these colleagues, friends and students of Densford lobbied for formal recognition of this international nursing leader who had served as the Director of the School of Nursing for almost 30 years. In 1996, under Dean Edwardson's leadership, the School of Nursing building was named Weaver-Densford Hall, after the former Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Lawrence Weaver, and Katharine Densford. The Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing are the principal occupants of the 9-story building.
During that same period of time, the idea of a leadership center bearing Densford's name emerged. In January 1997, the Katharine J Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership opened with Mary Jo Kreitzer, PhD, RN, as its first Director. Under the dynamic leadership of alumna Carolyn Schroeder, BS, a fundraising plan was developed and executed. A tremendous response was generated, ranging from small donations to $3 million, the latter being the generous donation from the Lillehei family to endow the Katharine R and C Walton Lillehei Chair in Nursing Leadership.
In September 2000, Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN, was appointed as the Center's first full-time director, as well as the Katharine R and C Walton Lillehei Chair in Nursing Leadership. By November, a suite of offices had been refurbished in the School of Nursing and designated as the home base of the Densford Center. On November 15, a community-wide celebration was held at the McNamara Alumni Center (The Gateway) to launch the Center in its new home with its new director.
Today the Center serves as a local, state, national and international resource to nurses and those interested in advancing nurses as strong leaders and good partners.
