Margaret Lewis, a retired dean of the FAMU School of Nursing
was remembered as a no nonsense administrator, who led the school to
unprecedented heights. During her many years of service to FAMU Lewis worked as
a staff nurse at the FAMU Hospital and in various professor positions. A U.S.
Army veteran, Lewis enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in 1953 and served as a
finance officer in Japan before being honorably discharged.
While addressing the audience, University Interim President
Larry Robinson said he learned a great deal from Lewis throughout the course of
his tenure at FAMU.
As dean, Lewis oversaw every component of the school’s
baccalaureate program, leading to it being recognized at the local, state, and
national levels. She also implemented various degree programs to include a
master’s degree with a specialty in advance adult/gerontological nursing and
collaborated with the University of Florida’s College of Nursing on a
cooperative doctoral program in nursing science.
Following her retirement, Lewis’ name was etched into FAMU
history. In 2007, the FAMU School of Allied Health Sciences Building was named
in honor of Lewis and Jacqueline B. Beck, founding dean of the School of Allied
Health Sciences.
Ruena Norman, former Interim Dean of the School of Nursing,
said Lewis was her mentor and the person
who encouraged her to go on to graduate school and pursue a doctorate degree.
“She was a role model for how to handle difficult
situations, faculty situations or student situations. She set the standard for
what Dr. Humphries said was “Excellence with Caring.” But before I knew that
from him I knew that from Dr. Lewis,” Norman said.
Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from FAMU. She
also earned a master’s degree in nursing from Ohio State University and a
doctoral degree in administration and higher education from Florida State
University.