As sophomores, our 106 classmates in the School of Nursing donned their uniforms for the first time officially at the traditional annual convocation, held on September 19, 1965, at St. Ignatius Church.

Anne Wilayto Bishop and her mom, after the 1965 convocation. Helen Wilayto is now 98.

According to the Heights, there was a procession of the students, who then lit candles, and were addressed by BC president Michael Walsh, SJ.

More than 1,000 family members and friends attended the ceremony, which was followed by a reception in Cushing Hall.

“I remember being very proud to wear that uniform for the first time,” said Joanne Calore Turco, after viewing the picture. “It was a big step, to finally feel like a nurse. Well, almost a nurse. We had yet to encounter our first ‘real’ patient, but donning a uniform and cap was a first step. The fact that we needed to learn some skills sat at the back of our terrified minds as well!

“Boy, we all wore our hair pretty much the same way!” she added. “Note that we had no stripes on our caps. Those came later.”