As UNC Greensboro celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the Nursing and Instructional Building (NIB) on Aug. 12, it also celebrated some highly impactful generosity.
The new names for six spaces within the NIB were announced, to a large round of applause.
These named spaces are:
- The Remsburg / Chamings Deans’ Terrace, given by Dr. Patricia Chamings and the late Dr. Robin Remsburg ’82 MSN. Their support provides a welcoming space for students, faculty, and visitors on the fifth floor of the Nursing and Instructional Building. Dr. Chamings was dean of the School of Nursing from 1985 to 1990. She remained on the faculty and taught graduate and undergraduate students until her retirement in December 2005. Dr. Remsburg was dean of the School of Nursing from 2013 until her death on December 3, 2020. She was instrumental in the design and opening of the Nursing and Instructional Building.
- The Dean’s Suite in Memory of Dr. Eloise R. Lewis, founding dean of the UNCG School of Nursing, was given by Dr. Stephanie Metzger ’84. The nursing program designed and led by Dr. Lewis became the foundation of Dr. Metzger’s nursing practice and attainment of her master’s, post-master’s, and doctoral degrees in nursing.
- The Metzger Atrium, given by Dr. Stephanie Metzger ’84 in honor of her parents, Robert L. Metzger and Jacqueline D. Metzger. Dr. Metzger’s mother had an unrealized dream of becoming a nurse and worked as a dental assistant. Her father grew up in Baltimore City working in the family business of delivering newspapers. Dr. Metzger’s parents realized the value of education and provided any resource necessary to prime her academic success. Her parents were not only devoted to her education, but they also supported others: In 2007 the Metzgers funded a nursing scholarship at UNCG to honor their daughter and her pediatric nursing career.
- The Hagan Family Intensive Care Simulation Lab, given by the Hagan Family Fund, whose Board of Directors includes: Charles T. Hagan III, Anne B. Hagan, Henry G. Hagan, John C. Hagan, David B. Hagan, Jeanette C. Hagan, C. Tilden Hagan IV, Carrie Hagan Stewart, Blair C. Hagan, Sarah Sims Hagan Chesson, and Elizabeth Hagan Flaherty, and the Hagan Family Fund Future Directors: Maxwell G. Hagan, E. Guy Hagan, and C. Blair “Bo” Hagan. The fund was started by Charles T. “Charlie” Hagan, Jr. to involve his family in giving back to causes in the Greensboro community and beyond. The Hagan family has several connections to UNCG, State Normal and Industrial College, and Woman’s College.
- The Glen & Mildred Jensen Veterans’ Student Lounge, given by Glenda Schillinger ’82 in honor of her parents, Glen (Ret. USAF Msgt.) and Mildred Jensen, for the purpose of supporting students who served in the military.
- The Barbara & Dale Phipps ’82 ’86 Student Skills Practice Lab, given by Dale and Barbara Phipps. While attending UNCG, Dale was a work-study student in the School of Nursing. The kindness he received from those he worked with inspired this gift.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held in the spacious interior and with limited attendance and pandemic protocols in place, celebrated the impact this new building will have for the University and the people of this region.
Susan Safran ’77, an alumna of the School of Nursing and former chair of the UNCG Board of Trustees, provided the welcoming remarks. Student Government Association President Ali Hamdoon and Provost Debbie Storrs provided remarks. Deans Debra Barksdale (School of Nursing), Carl Mattacola (Health and Human Sciences), and John Kiss (College of Arts and Sciences) rang the University Bell, a longstanding tradition at major University events.
The $105 million building serves as the new home of the School of Nursing, which had been spread across four buildings on or near campus. It also houses new laboratories and classrooms for the School of Health and Human Sciences and the Departments of Biology and Chemistry.
The much-needed building was made possible thanks to state funds from the Connect NC Bond, which was passed by North Carolina voters in the spring of 2016.
The Nursing and Instructional Building, located on the former site of the McIver Building, features 39 labs, 14 classrooms, nine research suites, and a community engagement center.
“Having Nursing, Health and Human Sciences, and the College of Arts and Sciences sharing a building will help foster transdisciplinary research. Much of what we do is community-engaged research, and we anticipate it will grow here like never before,” said Provost Storrs.
“The best and brightest faculty and graduate students will be drawn to UNCG, with our expanded research facilities.”
She noted the need in our state for nurses, health care workers and scientists is great. And the Nursing and Instructional Building will be transformative. “This building gives UNCG the power to address that need with the highest-quality graduates with the highest-quality expertise.”
Story by University Advancement
Photography by Martin W. Kane, University Communications
