SVSU nursing faculty honored

October 10, 2005 —

Two SVSU faculty members were inducted into the Michigan Nurses Association Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

The award recognized two leaders in SVSU's Crystal M. Lange College of Nursing and Health Sciences - Dr. Margaret Flatt and the college's namesake, Dr. Crystal M. Lange, who was inducted posthumously.

This is only the second year that the award has been presented by the MNA.

Dr. Janalou Blecke, dean of the College, was very impressed with her colleagues' accomplishments.

"You don't really realize all the contributions someone is making when you work with them everyday," she said.

And rightfully so - Lange and Flatt were both instrumental in the development of SVSU's nursing program and college.

Lange, who passed away in 1999, was well overdue for an award, Blecke thought.

"It is very appropriate that she is one of the first [to be inducted]," Blecke said. "This confirms the leadership we knew she had."

Joining the SVSU staff in 1976, Lange was instrumental in the formation of the College and helped it flourish in its first years to become what it is today.

Her passion for nursing also extended beyond SVSU.

"Her contributions were much larger than just this university - she was also very involved at the state and national level," Blecke said. "She wanted nursing to be highly recognized. [The college] represents on a small scale what she wanted for the nursing profession."

Flatt, the College's acting assistant dean, has been with SVSU since 1976, when she started as a part-time professor.

She worked closely with Lange to help build the foundations of the College and has been with it up to the present. She saw the college expand to include not only nursing, but also medical technology and occupational therapy.

She regards her greatest accomplishment, however, as the work she did before coming to SVSU while in the Army Nurse Corp.

"I was proud to serve my country - it helped me develop into the person I am today," she said.

When asked about her latest accomplishment, Flatt said the induction was a great honor.

"It's always a tremendous honor to be recognized by your colleagues," she added.

Blecke was impressed with Flatt's extensive credentials when they were listed at the inductees' award dinner.

"I was amazed at the depth and breadth of [Flatt's] contributions," she said. Blecke especially noted Flatt's scholarly, service, and research contributions to SVSU. She also cited her professionalism and dedication when working with students.

Flatt noted that the two inductions also cast a good image for SVSU.

"It reflects well on the college," she said, "especially when two SVSU people receive it at the same time."