Academics
Apply & Afford
Campus
Current Students

Undergraduate Programs

Explore a range of majors and minors with nearly limitless opportunities to launch your career.

Graduate Programs

Grow as a leader and advance in your profession with one of our graduate programs for women and men.

Adult Learning and Degree Completion

Elevate your career with degree-completion and licensure/certificate programs.

Campus Life

Learn what it's like to live and study at Alverno.

Visit Us

The best way to know if Alverno is the right college for you is to come visit!

Columbia College of Nursing

Columbia College of Nursing History

1901-1923
  • 1901 – Miss Olive Knowlton, a registered nurse, and Dr. Nathaniel A. Gray launched the Knowlton Hospital and Training School in a Sycamore Street (Michigan Street) mansion.
  • 1909 – The Columbia Hospital Corp. was formed and assumed the Knowlton Hospital. The name was changed to the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing.
  • 1919 – Both hospital and school moved to the east side location. A four-month affiliation at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago was offered.
  • 1921 – A partnership was established with Downer College. Milwaukee Downer College made provisions to give two years of college credits to Columbia graduates, making it possible to receive a Bachelor’s degree in five years.

 

1923-1960
  • 1923 – A new wing was added to the hospital, providing 18 more patient rooms and a student nurse classroom.
  • 1956 – An addition to the original 1919 School of Nursing building was completed. 

 

1960-1982
  • 1965 – An additional 200 patient beds were added to Columbia Hospital, expanding opportunities for student nurse clinical training experiences.
  • 1982 – The Columbia College Board of Trustees approved plans for a joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program, sponsored by the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing and Carroll College of Waukesha.
1982-2005
  • 1990 – The joint baccalaureate program in nursing was accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
  • 2005 – The joint program with Carroll College ends.
  • 2005 – A new partnership with Mount Mary University was developed. Students received a joint degree from the Columbia College of Nursing and Mount Mary.
2005-2019
  • 2011 – The Columbia College of Nursing received Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation to independently grant a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
  • 2013 – CCON received HLC accreditation to grant a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
  • 2017 – CCON became part of the new Ascension Wisconsin ministry.
CCON_OurHistoryPage_0004_Layer11.jpg
CCON_OurHistoryPage_0003_Layer12.jpg
CCON_OurHistoryPage_0002_Layer13.jpg
CCON_OurHistoryPage_0001_Layer14.jpg
CCON_OurHistoryPage_0000_2015-12DecCCONDSC_0420sh.jpg

2020 and beyond

  • 2020 – Alverno College acquires the Columbia College of Nursing, advancing a shared mission to educate highly skilled health care professional and to expand access to high-quality health care in southeastern Wisconsin.

Ready for what's next

Alverno College