University of San Diego Honors Dr. Mary Jo Clark as Professor Emerita

The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science at the University of San Diego proudly announces that Dr. Mary Jo Clark, PhD, RN, has been named Professor Emerita, one of the highest honors the University can bestow upon a retired faculty member.

In recognition of her decades of service and lasting contributions at USD to nursing education, research, and practice, a special ceremony was held on the outdoor terrace of the Hahn School earlier this week. Faculty and staff gathered to honor Dr. Clark’s leadership, mentorship, and enduring legacy at USD and beyond.

Dr. Clark served the Hahn School in multiple academic and leadership roles, including Professor and Associate Dean. She was instrumental in advancing the quality of nursing education, both locally and nationally, through her work with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), where she played a pivotal role in curriculum development and accreditation standards.She is only the second nurse faculty member in the School’s history to be named Professor Emerita, joining the late Dr. Patricia Roth in this honor.

“It is a deeply personal joy to honor Dr. Mary Jo Clark with the title of Professor Emerita,” said Jane M. Georges, PhD, RN, Dean of the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. “Her wisdom, grace, and steadfast commitment to nursing education have shaped not only this School, but also my own journey as a nurse and colleague. Mary Jo’s impact is immeasurable, and this recognition is a reflection of the love and respect so many of us hold for her.”The status of Professor Emeritus/a is granted to distinguished retired USD faculty who have demonstrated exceptional teaching, scholarship, and leadership. Dr. Clark’s influence continues through the countless students she mentored and the national standards she helped shape.

The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science celebrates this well-deserved milestone and expresses its deepest gratitude to Dr. Clark for her legacy of excellence, compassion, and leadership in the nursing profession.