Davis-Sams Distinguished Visiting Professorship
Announcements
The Davis-Sams Distinguished Visiting Professor Presentation by Dr. Adey Nyamathi
Engagement of Vulnerable Populations using Culturally Sensitive Participatory Action Strategies
October 5-6, 2011
The Davis-Sams Distinguished Visiting Professorship is named in honor of Anne Mitchem-Davis, the first African American graduate of Indiana University School of Nursing (1953) and Dr. Lauranne Sams, the first African American faculty member hired (1958). Established in 1999 as part of the 85th anniversary celebration, the Davis-Sams Distinguished Visiting Professorship provides an opportunity for a distinguished leader in nursing to spend a week consulting with faculty, lecturing to students, engaging with the larger community, and like activities. Davis and Sams were leaders within the Indiana University School of Nursing, so it is appropriate that this visiting professorship honors them as pathfinders, as it annually brings to campus someone who has been pioneering in her/his fashion.
Anne Mitchem-Davis has had a stellar career as a practitioner, educator, administrator and public servant. She held teaching positions at Boston, Hampton, Chicago State (CSU) and Howard Universities (HU), served as Acting Dean at CSU, and Assistant Dean at Howard University College of Nursing, and Executive Director, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She continues active community involvement with descendants of the African diaspora with primary concentrated work with Cubans, Puerto-Ricans and Panamanians.
Dr. Lauranne Sams’ tenure as a faculty at the SON spans 16 years. She was a member of the Maternity Nursing Faculty. As described in Nursing at Indiana University she "participated in a positive way in the development of the school as it changed directions and moved toward its future." In addition, to being an outstanding teacher, she was actively involved in the recruitment and retention of minority students, including working with the School of Medicine. After leaving IUSON she became Dean of the School of Nursing at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. Following retirement as Dean, she pursued post-doctoral studies in gerontology.
Review the biographies of Davis-Sams Distinguished Visiting Professors
