News Release
July 2006
Bethlehem, Pa., July 24, 2006—The Janet A. Sipple Lecture Endowment
Fund was established to honor Dr. Janet A. Sipple, founding chair of the St. Luke’s
School of Nursing at Moravian College. The endowment was conceived in consultation with
members of the nursing faculty at the college, to “provide for an annual lecture
in the area of international health care, world community service, leadership, or public
health open to all students and members of the greater Lehigh Valley community.” Sipple,
who retired from her positions as department chair on July 15, 2006 is recognized
for her professional leadership and commitment to baccalaureate nursing education, and
the program at Moravian College. Dr. Sipple will continue to serve as a professor at
the college.
Initiated by Elizabeth R. and Randel C. Laylon of Bethlehem, the fund has
currently reached $27,000 and includes gifts from more than 100 of Sipple’s colleagues,
former students, friends, and family. Additional support is being sought to maximize
the investment income that will fund and enhance the lectureship.
In a letter to contributors, internationally-known nursing educator, Margaret
L. McClure ’61, R.N., Ed.D., F.A.A.N., stated that “Dr. Sipple had the vision,
talent, fortitude, and magnetism to develop a baccalaureate nursing program at Moravian
College that has hit every benchmark in its short history including being accredited
prior to graduation of the first class in 2003 and being approved for charter of a new
chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society (Upsilon Alpha). She is
an extraordinary teacher and leader who developed international nursing exchange programs,
particularly the opportunity for students to provide aid to the rural Moravian community
of Ahuas, Honduras,” McClure continued.
“The focus of the endowment lectures will be issues that are important
to Dr. Sipple, namely international health care, global awareness and action, and personal
leadership.” McClure noted. “As such, they will be relevant to all students
at the College, especially nursing students here and throughout the Lehigh Valley, and
to community members who often participate in our programs. In addition, this series
will complement programming sponsored by Moravian’s newly-established Leadership
Center.”
In a note to her faculty colleagues, Sipple expressed her gratitude and
appreciation for the financial support that will support the lectureship in her name. “I
am deeply humbled by your gracious gift of establishing the lectureship at Moravian College,” said
Sipple. “How very exciting to see this professional programming in nursing
established at the college which will bring further recognition to the accomplishments
of the faculty, the program, the profession.”
Beginning in August, Dr. Kerry Cheever, will succeed Sipple as chair of
the nursing program at the college. Cheever will establish a steering committee to plan
and guide the Sipple lectures, in consultation with the Moravian College Leadership Center
for the benefit of nursing students, other students, and the general public.
The Leadership Center serves as the locus of activity for the Moravian
Leadership Initiative. Located in the Haupert Union Building, the Center houses a resource
library, meeting/conference room, office space for Student Government, the Comenian newspaper,
and IMPACT program board. The center also provides a faculty resource room in support
of teaching innovations, and offices for the co-directors.
Moravian College is a private, coeducational, selective
liberal arts college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tracing its founding to 1742,
it is recognized as America's sixth-oldest college. Visit the Web site at www.moravian.edu.
