Ambridge memorabilia: Ambridge School of Practical Nursing pin

This is an Ambridge Public School of Practical Nursing pin, presented to the late Elizabeth Karolak, now treasured by her daughter, Joanne Karolak Gelston.

Ambridge School of Practical Nursing pin

presented to Elizabeth Karolak

photo courtesy of Joanne Karolak Gelston

The Ambridge School of Practical Nursing, started in 1952, was a Beaver County program overseen by the State Board of Nursing Examiners. Classes were held at Ambridge High School and later, Anthony Wayne Elementary School, until renovation of that school started in 1965, when classes were moved to the Ambridge Recreation Center. The state board was not happy with the move, claiming facilities in the Rec Center were "inadequate" and that the rec building had been "condemned," which Ambridge authorities denied. The state board wanted the program moved to Freedom. The controversy was covered by the Beaver County Times in a number of articles in late 1965 and early 1966, including December 1, December 10, January 7, and January 20. Finally, the state agreed to keep the program in Ambridge until 1967.

Ambridge Area School of Practical Nursing Program graduation
Beaver County Times
January 20, 1966

Original caption:

PRACTICAL NURSE GRADUATION--Donna Houston, Aliquippa, the graduate with the highest scholastic achievement, displays her award at commencement exercises for 60 students of the Ambridge Area School of Practical Nursing Program Wednesday in the Ambridge Area High School auditorium. Others, from left, are Mrs. Mary Kuhel, Ambridge vice president of the Ambridge Area School Board; state Sen. Ernest Kline, Beaver Falls, commencement speaker, and Dr. Leo R. Taggart, superintendent of Ambridge Area Schools.

In December, 1966, the board of trustees of the then-new Beaver County Community College announced that it would take over the program the following year. Even though the community college wasn't set to open until the fall of 1967, an April 22, 1967, Beaver County Times article said that the Community College's practical nursing program was to start "this spring." I have not yet found out when the Community College program actually started; however, the last class of the Ambridge program graduated in August 1967.

Last graduates
Ambridge Area School of Practical Nursing Program
Beaver County Times
August 29, 1967

Original caption:

PRACTICAL NURSES GRADUATE--Milton Appleyard, left, executive director of Beaver Valley-Providence General Hospital, Beaver Falls and New Brighton, presents an award to Elizabeth Sheridan, Beaver, outstanding graduate, at commencement exercises of the last graduating class of Ambridge Area School Practical Nursing Program Monday in Ambridge Area High School. Others, from left, are Michael Malinich, vocational director, Ambridge Area Public Schools; Milo Ujevich, assistant principal, Ambridge Area Schools; Mrs. Mary Kuhel, president, Ambridge Area School Board, and Phyllis Mackintosh, Baden, another graduate. Fifty practical nurses were graduated. Practical nursing now is part of the curriculum at Beaver County Community College.