CAMPUS BRIEFS: Tuesday, November 3, 1998

The first child psychiatric nurse to hold a doctorate, Fagin, 71, served as dean of the Nursing School from 1977 to 1991, during which time the size of the freshman class tripled. Also during her tenure as dean, Fagin led the development of the Center for Nursing Research -- the first privately funded nursing research center in the country -- and helped improve the school's reputation. After resigning as Dean, Fagin served as interim president of the University from 1993 to 1994, between the tenures of Sheldon Hackney and Judith Rodin. She currently works as an advocate for better health care, educating both consumers and policy makers about today's key health care issues. Fagin said yesterday that it was a "thrill" to receive the award, which honored her achievements in nursing, nursing education and scholarship and in promoting quality health care. And she still is getting used to its magnitude. "Being called a 'Living Legend' is really daunting, and it's hard to come to grips with a single and clear reaction," she said. "It is a strange experience that one doesn't expect and is so unique that other experiences don't prepare you for it." -- Naomi Blivaiss