Lakeview 100 Years of Caring Book
This book covers the first 100 years of Lakeview history (1894 - 1994). Special thanks to the Alumni Centennial Committee for putting this together.
1894
The Danville Training School (DTS) for nurses was founded in November of 1894 as a hospital-based school, and the first class of four students graduated in 1896.
1911 - 1937 Initial Charter
The State of Illinois initially approved the diploma program in 1911, the first year the State began recording approval actions. The state formally certified the program in 1937 when certificates were first awarded.
The 1940s
Lakeview Hospital School of Nursing established an affiliation in the 1940s with Illinois Teacher's College in Charleston, Illinois, now known as Eastern Illinois University. Instructors from Eastern came to Danville and presented courses on-site for the convenience of the students.
The 1950s
An affiliation between Lakeview Hospital School of Nursing and Danville Junior College, now Danville Area Community College, was initiated in the 1950s for the community college to provide the lower-division general education courses.
The 1960s
In the 1960s, Lakeview Memorial Hospital School of Nursing admitted the first female student who had been married but was widowed with two small children. It was approximately at the same time that the first male student was admitted. During the late 1960s, black female students were first admitted.
The 1970s
In 1971, the diploma program offered by Lakeview was fully accredited by the National League for Nursing.
The 1980s
The College was approved to establish a baccalaureate nursing program by the State of Illinois, Department of Registration and Education in September 1987.
The 1990s
A brick addition to Webster home was completed and is now the Lakeview College of Nursing home.
The 2000s
Lakeview College of Nursing developed a contractual agreement with Eastern Illinois University to bring the Lakeview College of Nursing Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing program to Charleston at the start of the new millennium. Students began to attend classes on the EIU campus in the fall of 2001.
The 2010s
Lakeview College of Nursing has consistently invested in its facilities to enhance the learning experience for students. In 2014, the Charleston facility completed a significant expansion, creating more classroom space, adding a new computer lab, and increasing faculty office space. The Danville campus also saw substantial improvements. The college acquired a health services building from a local dentist, providing room for future growth of community immunization clinics, health clinics, and extra lab space adjacent to the main campus. During the summer of 2015, the Danville location underwent further enhancements by renovating the nursing skills lab. This upgrade connected essential lab equipment with simulated equipment and provided additional storage space. These improvements reflect Lakeview's ongoing commitment to providing students with modern, well-equipped facilities that mirror real-world healthcare environments, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges of professional nursing practice.
The 2020s
In 2020, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, Lakeview College of Nursing demonstrated adaptability by swiftly transitioning all courses to online learning for the spring and summer semesters. Despite these unprecedented challenges, Lakeview remained resilient, continuing to fulfill its mission of educational excellence in nursing. This commitment to quality and innovation in nursing education has been a hallmark of the institution for generations. In 2024, Lakeview proudly celebrated its 130th anniversary, marking over a century of leadership in nursing education.