Commitment
What do a group of honor students in the 1960s, a commuter student from Montana, two women from Liberia, and Genevieve “Anne” Armstrong aka the “Lady in Red” all have in common? A commitment to the nursing profession and Clarkson College! These ladies from various walks of life in different periods of history all demonstrated dedication and accountability to the shared Mission of Clarkson College.
Montana Commuter Intent on Finishing Studies
In the mid-1980s when distance education wasn’t a common or practical option, Bobette Pattee spent summers in Omaha pursuing her RN to BSN degree at Clarkson College. She had family in Hancock and Avoca, Iowa and made the 30-mile trek to Omaha daily.
“I see myself working for a long time,” Bobette says. “I’m completing my bachelor’s degree to protect myself in the future. This will give me a broader background to do so. You’ve got to keep up with continuing your education. It’s an absolute must if you don’t want to become stale in your job.”
Although Bobette says she enjoyed her time in Omaha, she missed her spouse and the mountains in Montana. That took some real drive and commitment! Bobette’s full story is found in the autumn 1985 issue of the quarterly alumni newsletter.
Liberians Seek Earthly Heaven
In 2000, Tutu Hawah Bainda and Agnes Wata Dunoh left their war torn home in Cuttington, Liberia (West Africa) to further their education at Clarkson College. After two years of study, they hoped to return to Cuttington College to teach nursing.
"That's our school," Tutu says, "and our school needs help. Cuttington feels blessed by us coming here. Sometimes I burst out in tears when I think about my family being away from me. The only thing I tell myself, that I'm here for a purpose, and I will accomplish that and go back."
All that time away from family and hard work takes a strong dedication and commitment.
Genevieve "Anne" Armstrong, the Lady in Red
Genevieve Armstrong, known to her family and friends as Anne, provided a trust estate of $30,000 in her last will and testament for students at Clarkson College; a scholarship that still benefits students today. Mrs. Armstrong was also part of the Clarkson Hospital Service League in her day, which years later provided the funding to move the Clarkson Service League Library from the basement to the 2nd floor of the main building in 2011.
The portrait of Mrs. Armstrong was painted by Augustus W. Dunbier, a noted Omaha artist. Dunbier was educated in Germany and attended the Art Institute of Chicago. He often worked in the southwest United States but always returned to his home in Omaha at 914 N. 49th Avenue. He taught art classes at the Joslyn Art Museum periodically and private classes, often outdoors. Dunbier painted landscapes, still lifes and portraits but refused to paint portraits from photographs, insisting that the subject sit for him. Dunbier lived to the age of 89, and his portrait of Mrs. Armstrong hangs in the Clarkson Service League Library.